They are all connected with Sherritt International, a Canadian mining company that is doing business in Cuba.  The United States established the law to discourage foreign companies from doing business with Cuba because the Cuban Government nationalized American property after the Revolution.

Internationally, the Helms-Burton Act has met with strong opposition and widespread outcry.  Opponents of the act wereoutraged at this latest action.  A section of the law prevents the families of those involved in Sherritt International from going to Cuba.  They also consider the law to be extraterriorial - an attempt to illegally enforce U.S. law stretching outside of U.S. territory.