International Trade Law News

The U.S. Government yesterday announced the formation of a new task force dedicated to enforcing existing economic and trade sanctions against Cuba. The Cuban Sanctions Enforcement Task Force will be chaired by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, will be comprised of members from OFAC, ICE, FBI, IRS, Department of Commerce - Office of Export Enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Field and Air divisions of Customs and Border Protection.

The primary goal of the Cuban Sanctions Enforcement Task Force is the "vigorous investigation of violations and enforcement through federal criminal prosecutions of the existing U.S. economic and trade sanctions against Cuba." Specifically, the Task Force intends to "agressively pursue criminal investigations and prosecutions, where appropriate, of Cuban Assets Control Regulations and other violations, including of those involved in organizing and facilitating unlicensed travel transactions with Cuba."

R. Alexander Acosta, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, told a news conference in Miami yesterday that he would prosecute the import and export of goods to and from Cuba, transfers of hard currency to Cuba, and unapproved travel to Cuba.

Labels: OFAC