MARIO ECHEVARRIA, Plaintiff, vs. EXPEDIA, INC., HOTELS.COM L.P., HOTELS.COM GP, LLC, and ORBITZ, LLC, Defendants. Case Number: 19-22621-CIV-MORENO

On 18 April 2025, a jury in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami, Division, held that defendant Expedia and three related entities were ordered to pay US$29.85 million to the plaintiffs for violating provisions of Title III of the the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1996 (known as “Libertad Act” or “Helms-Burton Act”).

Title III authorizes lawsuits in United States District Courts against companies and individuals who are using a certified claim or non-certified claim where the owner of the certified claim or non-certified claim has not received compensation from the Republic of Cuba or from a third-party who is using (“trafficking”) the asset.

The Trump-Pence Administration (2017-2021) on 2 May 2019 made operational Title III of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act.

The plaintiffs sued Expedia for offering reservations for resorts constructed on a barrier island within the internationally-recognized territory of the Republic of Cuba. The plaintiffs argued the property was confiscated absent compensation by the government of the Republic of Cuba.

Link: ORDER DENYING DEFENDANTS' MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND DENYING PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT (3/28/25)

Links To Related Analyses

Expedia And Orbitz Libertad Act Title III Lawsuit Moving Towards Trial Mar 13, 2025

Libertad Act Lawsuit Against Expedia: "The Court rejects Defendants' argument that the Amended Complaint should be dismissed because Plaintiff failed to plead around the Lawful Travel Exception." September 21, 2023

Plaintiff, And Defendants Booking, Expedia, Hotels, Orbitz, Respond To Court Of Appeals After United States Department Of Justice Weighs In. May 19, 2022