U.S. Cuba policy, however, is crafted to please Cubans in Florida, not in Cuba; Clinton and Congress piled on sanctions in the wake of the shootdown and the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1996 was quickly enlarged to allow victims of acts by "terrorist nations" to seek financial compensation.
This is the first trial based on the new law, and the winners know that collecting from Fidel falls somewhat short of a realistic option. Attorney Aaron Podhurst says he will turn to the U.S. Government instead. "If Congress is going to pass a bill, they need to provide so we can implement it," he complained. "Or else why pass the bill?" Because the Sunshine State is simply packed with electoral votes.