Government officials from Cuba and the U.S. met in Havana, beginning settlement discussions surrounding $1.9 billion worth of U.S. assets seized by Fidel Castro’s regime in the early 1960s. By law, the United States embargo against Cuba cannot cease until settlements are made. [https:--www.washingtonpost.com-world-the_americas-in-major-breakthrough-cuba-and-us-discuss-19billion-in-property-claims-2015-12-08-9bc2ced0-9d23-11e5-9ad2-568d814bbf3b_story.html "(Washington Post)"]