The U.S. Supreme Court dealt a setback to four cruise operators on Thursday, reviving $440 million in judgments over their use of docks in Cuba confiscated by Fidel Castro's government.
In an 8-1 ruling, the justices overturned a lower court's decision that had thrown out the judgments against Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and MSC Cruises.
The case was brought by Havana Docks Corporation under the Helms-Burton Act, a 1996 law allowing U.S. nationals to sue over trafficked confiscated property.
The ruling comes at a sensitive time in U.S.-Cuban relations. The U.S. announced murder charges against former Cuban President Raúl Castro.
The cruise lines used the docks from 2016 to 2019 after the Obama administration eased travel restrictions. They argued they were following the government's lead.
Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the lower court's decision conflicted with the plain text of the Helms-Burton Act.
In dissent, Justice Elena Kagan said the ruling allows plaintiffs to recover for property they did not own.
The decision could impact future Helms-Burton Act cases, including a pending ExxonMobil lawsuit against Cuba.
