Post -Communist property claims in the Czech Republic and Nicaragua: Lessons learned for Cuba

The governments of the Czech Republic and Nicaragua during their Communist and Marxist-Leninist regimes, respectively, took over a vast amount of private property, usually with very little or no compensation paid. The post-Communist governments in these countries addressed the claims of the former owners of confiscated properties. Each country encountered problems when dealing with property claims. However, of the two countries, the Czech Republic was by far more successful in resolving claims. Nicaragua experienced numerous grave troubles and many claimants were dissatisfied with the outcomes of their claims. These two case studies provide lessons for a future Cuba that may address the private property confiscations of its current Communist regime.