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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/14/cuban-rum-cigars-us-travelers-obama-eases-restrictions
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| US ends limit on amount of Cuban rum and cigars travelers can bring back | US ends limit on amount of Cuban rum and cigars travelers can bring back |
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| The Obama administration has announced the relaxation of rules and restrictions for US citizens who travel to Cuba, and it held some very good news for cigar and rum aficionados. | The Obama administration has announced the relaxation of rules and restrictions for US citizens who travel to Cuba, and it held some very good news for cigar and rum aficionados. |
| Cuban rum and cigars, which were strictly illegal in the US during the half-century embargo of the island nation can now be brought back to the US by travelers in any quantity. The change is a result of an executive order signed by Barack Obama, who is accelerating efforts to normalize relationships between the two countries before he leaves office in January. | |
| “Challenges remain – and very real differences between our governments persist on issues of democracy and human rights – but I believe that engagement is the best way to address those differences and make progress on behalf of our interests and values,” Obama said in a statement. | “Challenges remain – and very real differences between our governments persist on issues of democracy and human rights – but I believe that engagement is the best way to address those differences and make progress on behalf of our interests and values,” Obama said in a statement. |
| Americans who have visited the island since diplomatic relationships were resumed between the two nations in late 2014 were previously allowed to come back with up to $100 of the products. Today’s visitors now face no restrictions, so long as the purchase is for personal use. | Americans who have visited the island since diplomatic relationships were resumed between the two nations in late 2014 were previously allowed to come back with up to $100 of the products. Today’s visitors now face no restrictions, so long as the purchase is for personal use. |
| The changes are part of a much broader package intended to encourage increased trade between the once cold war foes. The executive order also makes it easier for US companies to import Cuban pharmaceuticals, as well as allowing US agricultural companies to sell their products to the island. | The changes are part of a much broader package intended to encourage increased trade between the once cold war foes. The executive order also makes it easier for US companies to import Cuban pharmaceuticals, as well as allowing US agricultural companies to sell their products to the island. |
| In a statement from the treasury department, secretary Jack Lew said “these steps have the potential to accelerate constructive change and unlock greater economic opportunity for Cubans and Americans”. | In a statement from the treasury department, secretary Jack Lew said “these steps have the potential to accelerate constructive change and unlock greater economic opportunity for Cubans and Americans”. |
| The changes do not allow for the commercial importation of Cuban rum or cigars just yet, nor can US citizens expect to be able to buy them online anytime soon. | |
| Rum and cigars have a long history in islands throughout the Caribbean, ever since Europeans invaded the region and began commercial production of sugarcane and tobacco, mostly with imported African slave labor. The tropical climate is ideally suited for the two cash crops. | Rum and cigars have a long history in islands throughout the Caribbean, ever since Europeans invaded the region and began commercial production of sugarcane and tobacco, mostly with imported African slave labor. The tropical climate is ideally suited for the two cash crops. |
| Hand-rolled Cuban cigars, admired worldwide for their quality even before the embargo, have taken on a mystical place in American pop culture after being treated as contraband for so long. | |
| Cohiba, the island’s most famous brand, was originally launched as a private supplier for Fidel Castro and high-level government officials before being transformed into a larger-scale state industry in 1968. |