The Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996, commonly known as the Helms-Burton Act, is a United States federal law enacted on March 12, 1996, by President Bill Clinton. The legislation was a direct response to the Cuban government's downing of two unarmed U.S. civilian aircraft on February 24, 1996, which killed four individuals. The Act codified and strengthened the longstanding U.S. embargo against Cuba, imposing sanctions on foreign companies that invest in or traffic in properties confiscated by the Cuban government after the 1959 revolution, particularly those formerly owned by U.S. citizens or Cuban exiles who became U.S. citizens. It extends the embargo's territorial reach beyond U.S. borders, allowing U.S. citizens to sue foreign entities in U.S. courts for involvement in such properties, and requires the president to pursue multilateral sanctions through international organizations.

The Act is structured into several titles: Title I focuses on strengthening international sanctions against the Cuban government, including exclusion of Cuban officials from the U.S. and restrictions on foreign assistance to countries aiding Cuba's nuclear program; Title II outlines support for a democratic transition in Cuba, providing for assistance to a post-Castro transitional government and plans for economic reconstruction; Title III enables private lawsuits for confiscated properties; and Title IV mandates visa denials for executives of companies trafficking in such assets. The legislation aims to pressure the Cuban government toward democracy and political reform while seeking compensation for expropriated properties.

Enacted as Public Law 104-114 during the 104th Congress (H.R. 927), the Helms-Burton Act has been controversial, criticized by U.S. allies for extraterritoriality and by some for hindering normalization of relations. Presidents have periodically suspended Title III's lawsuits to mitigate diplomatic tensions, but the core embargo remains in place. The Act has shaped U.S.-Cuba relations for decades, influencing trade, travel, and remittances, and continues to be a cornerstone of U.S. sanctions policy despite evolving international dynamics.