⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

The Supreme Court considers whether Exxon can sue Cuban state-owned companies over oil assets Cuba confiscated in 1960. The Helms-Burton Act lets a United States claimant sue for trafficking in confiscated property, a term that includes knowingly using or benefiting from it. The Act defines a person to include a foreign state's agencies and instrumentalities. Sovereign immunity ordinarily shields those entities from lawsuits. Abrogating that immunity means Congress removes it by statute. Exxon says Helms-Burton does that on its own. The Cuban companies say Exxon must also satisfy an exception in the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. The D.C. Circuit agreed with the companies. The Supreme Court later reversed, six to three, holding that Helms-Burton itself removes the immunity of Cuban agencies and instrumentalities.

Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Corporación Cimex, S.A. (No. 24-699) — Supreme Court of the United States, argued February 23, 2026.