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Miami Man Awarded More Than $1 billion In Suit Against Cuba

Practice Area: Catastrophic Loss - Wrongful Death
Client: Gustavo Villoldo and Alfredo Villoldo

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ALTERS Law Firm Attorney
   Jeremy Alters (View Profile)


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  Case Description:


Verdict: $1.179 billion

Case Style: Gustavo Villoldo and Alfredo Villoldo v. Fidel Castro, Raul Castro, Ernesto "Che" Guevara, Cuban Ministry of Interior, the Army of the Republic of Cuba, and the Republic of Cuba

Court:11th Judicial Circuit in Miami-Dade County, Florida

Judge: Honorable Peter Adrien

Date: May, 2009



  Facts And Allegations

On May 29, 2009, Miami-Dade Judge Peter Adrien awarded $1.179 billion to two Cuban brothers, Gustavo and Alfredo Villoldo, to pay damages for the wrongful death of their father, Cuban businessman Gustavo Villoldo Argilagos. The judge found the defendants, Fidel Castro Ruz, Raul Castro Ruz, Ernesto "Che Guevara" Guevara, the Cuban Ministry of Interior, the Army of the Republic of Cuba, and the Republic of Cuba, guilty of inflicting intentional emotional distress upon Villoldo Argilagos, ultimately causing him to commit suicide.

The defendants' actions were found to be in violation of the retroactive Antiterrorism Act and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996.

Villoldo Argilagos, 56 at the time of his death, worked closely with the United States Embassy and was a prominent Cuban businessman, working as a practicing attorney. He owned a Havana GM dealership, gas station, and office building, and was also well invested in the community.

After enduring endless mental and emotional abuse from the Castro regime, Villoldo Argilagos took his own life, leaving behind his wife and two sons. Villoldo Argilagos saw his personal suicide as the only way to safeguard his beloved family against the multiple threats he had received, including the confiscation of all his businesses and properties, as well as the murder of his family by Guevara in front of firing squads.

Injuries & Damages

Suicide; loss of personal & family assets; emotional distress

Result

Verdict of $1.179 billion awarded. Considered the single largest verdict awarded to a family in history. Decision also marks only the 9th time an American Court has ruled for money to be distributed out of frozen Cuban assets.