A Warning to Our American Guests

 
Canadian Cynic has just alerted me to a problem that could get my American friends in big trouble when they come for my daughter's wedding in a few weeks [ You keep using that word "democracy" ...]. The problem is explained by Ed Brayton over on Dispatches from the Culture Wars [No Cuban Cigars Abroad Too?].

You see, the American government is very, very afraid of Fidel Castro. They're certain that he is about to subvert Americans and turn them all into (gasp!) socialists. In order to prevent any contamination, all Americans are forbidden to visit Cuba or to buy any Cuban products. This does not only apply in the USA but in other countries as well.

Yep, that means Canada. Americans can't smoke Cuban cigars in Canada and they can't drink Cuban rum either. So be careful my friends. Your government may throw you in jail if you don't specify non-Cuban rum at the bar. (I'll never tell.) Many of the Canadian guests will have vacationed in Cuba last winter. You better not talk to them.

Here's the specific regulation copied from Ed's blog.

The question is often asked whether United States citizens or permanent resident aliens of the United States may legally purchase Cuban origin goods, including tobacco and alcohol products, in a third country for personal use outside the United States. The answer is no. The Regulations prohibit persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States from purchasing, transporting, importing, or otherwise dealing in or engaging in any transactions with respect to any merchandise outside the United States if such merchandise (1) is of Cuban origin; or (2) is or has been located in or transported from or through Cuba; or (3) is made or derived in whole or in part of any article which is the growth, produce or manufacture of Cuba. Thus, in the case of cigars, the prohibition extends to cigars manufactured in Cuba and sold in a third country and to cigars manufactured in a third country from tobacco grown in Cuba.