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A bill to impose sanctions with respect to foreign persons that engage in certain transactions relating to Cuba and to impose sanctions with respect to human rights abuse and corruption in Cuba, and for other purposes.
2/7/2025, 11:56 AM
Summary of Bill S 488
The bill outlines specific criteria for determining which individuals or entities would be subject to sanctions, including those who provide support to the Cuban government, engage in transactions involving confiscated property in Cuba, or are involved in human rights abuses or corruption in the country.
If passed, the bill would authorize the President to impose a range of sanctions, including asset freezes, travel bans, and restrictions on financial transactions, against those found to be in violation of the outlined criteria. The bill emphasizes the importance of promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Cuba, and aims to hold accountable those who contribute to the perpetuation of the Cuban government's oppressive policies. Overall, Bill 119 s 488 represents a bipartisan effort to address concerns related to Cuba's human rights record and to deter foreign entities from engaging in transactions that support the Cuban government's repressive actions.
Congressional Summary of S 488
Denying Earnings to the Military Oligarchy in Cuba and Restricting Activities of the Cuban Intelligence Apparatus Act or the DEMOCRACIA Act
This bill provides for asset- and visa-blocking sanctions for conduct relating to Cuba. It also establishes an interagency task force to facilitate access to uncensored internet in Cuba.
The President must sanction foreign persons that engage in a transaction with or provide financial, material, or technological support to certain entities or individuals, including
- specified Cuban government sectors (e.g., the defense sector);
- any other government sector that the President certifies is involved in human rights abuses or terrorism;
- foreign persons that are military contractors or mercenaries operating on behalf of the Cuban government; or
- foreign persons that violate laws restricting trade with Cuba.
Other individuals or entities the President must sanction include
- foreign persons responsible for or complicit in human rights abuses in Cuba;
- Cuban officials responsible for or complicit in corruption; and
- members of Cuba's Communist Party.
The bill provides certain exceptions to these sanctions and the President may waive the sanctions in the interest of U.S. national security. The President may not license sanctionable conduct. U.S. persons seeking to engage in a sanctionable financial transaction must submit a written request to the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control.
The authority to impose sanctions under this bill ends when the President certifies that the Cuban government has taken specified steps to promote political rights and freedoms and Congress enacts a joint resolution approving the certification.
