Have you ever sampled the delights of a real Cuban cigar? Probably not, though you've heard about them everywhere. Unfortunately, a Cuban cigar humidor is not an option if you are an American. These cigars are made exclusively in Cuba and are said to be one of the finest cigars in the world. Even the cigar rollers in Cuba are said to be of such high caliber, that to smoke a true Cuban is a delicacy. Cuban cigars are labeled with the patriotic motto "Hecho en Cuba", or made in Cuba.
The possession of Cuban cigars has been a crime in America ever since the ultra-patriotic 1960s. In the year 1962, President Kennedy ordered a trade embargo act against Cuba and Fidel Castro because of anti-communist Cold War as well as Cuba's aggressive support of the U.S.S.R. What really destroyed the relationship between the U.S. and Cuba?
John F. Kennedy had a beef with Castro's communist regime for quite some time. Back then, at the height of the Cold War, communism was regarded as something evil. It didn't help when Cuba seized control of the island in 1959 and when he supported the U.S.S.R by allowing them the right to create missile bases on the island-so close to U.S. soil. This was interpreted as a major slight against the U.S. and so they increased the pressure. The U.S. even tried to have Castro assassinated!
Why hasn't the trade embargo act been lifted today? Because it would mean supporting communism and supporting a man who was once considered a public enemy of the U.S. The United States has not lightened up on its stance, even after several administration changes. To this day, not only are Cuban cigars banned in the U.S., but acquiring these cigars in any country, if you are a U.S. citizen, is an American crime.
It's easy to criticize the U.S. and to suggest they just lift the trade ban already, but there are many points that deserve consideration. What about the many Cuban exiles who have been abused by Castro's regime and who actually support the trade ban? Yes, it's all a political mess. The Cuban cigar remains one of the world's true underappreciated joys. If only all those parties involved, Castro, Obama and Charlie Crist could get together and have a smoke over it all and talk things through. Maybe that's just wishful thinking from us cigar lovers.
The possession of Cuban cigars has been a crime in America ever since the ultra-patriotic 1960s. In the year 1962, President Kennedy ordered a trade embargo act against Cuba and Fidel Castro because of anti-communist Cold War as well as Cuba's aggressive support of the U.S.S.R. What really destroyed the relationship between the U.S. and Cuba?
John F. Kennedy had a beef with Castro's communist regime for quite some time. Back then, at the height of the Cold War, communism was regarded as something evil. It didn't help when Cuba seized control of the island in 1959 and when he supported the U.S.S.R by allowing them the right to create missile bases on the island-so close to U.S. soil. This was interpreted as a major slight against the U.S. and so they increased the pressure. The U.S. even tried to have Castro assassinated!
Why hasn't the trade embargo act been lifted today? Because it would mean supporting communism and supporting a man who was once considered a public enemy of the U.S. The United States has not lightened up on its stance, even after several administration changes. To this day, not only are Cuban cigars banned in the U.S., but acquiring these cigars in any country, if you are a U.S. citizen, is an American crime.
It's easy to criticize the U.S. and to suggest they just lift the trade ban already, but there are many points that deserve consideration. What about the many Cuban exiles who have been abused by Castro's regime and who actually support the trade ban? Yes, it's all a political mess. The Cuban cigar remains one of the world's true underappreciated joys. If only all those parties involved, Castro, Obama and Charlie Crist could get together and have a smoke over it all and talk things through. Maybe that's just wishful thinking from us cigar lovers.
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