Obama ends restrictions on Cuban cigars, rum

Cuban cigars.
(Image credit: iStock)

The Obama administration announced Friday an end to restrictions on Cuban rum and cigars, USA Today reports. The highly coveted products benefit from executive action that is aimed at boosting trade and travel between Cuba and the United States. In exchange, it will also be easier for American companies to sell their products to Cubans, including through online purchases.

Cuban rum and cigars were banned from entering the U.S. for five decades; recently, the Obama administration allowed for Americans to bring back just $100 worth of the products. The removal Friday of the monetary restrictions will allow travelers to bring back as many cigars or bottles of rum as they like.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.