The
Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (Libertad) Act of 1996 (
Helms–Burton Act, , , ) is a
United States federal law which strengthens and continues the
United States embargo against Cuba. The act extended the territorial application of the initial embargo to apply to foreign companies trading with
Cuba, and penalized foreign companies allegedly "trafficking" in property formerly owned by U.S. citizens but
confiscated by Cuba after the
Cuban revolution. The act also covers property formerly owned by Cubans who have since become U.S. citizens.