Loading...
Done
In this February 11, 2017 photo, workers who are responsible for handling freshly cut tobacco leaves, change into their street clothes at the end of their work shift at a state-run warehouse in Alquizar, in Cuba's western province Artemisa. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)

In this February 11, 2017 photo, workers who are responsible for handling freshly cut tobacco leaves, change into their street clothes at the end of their work shift at a state-run warehouse in Alquizar, in Cuba's western province Artemisa. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)



A roller puffs on a cigar while working at La Corona cigar factory in Havana, Cuba, March 2, 2017. Exports of Cuban stogies reached more than 430 million US dollars per year in 2016, with demand increasing both nationally and worldwide. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)

A roller puffs on a cigar while working at La Corona cigar factory in Havana, Cuba, March 2, 2017. Exports of Cuban stogies reached more than 430 million US dollars per year in 2016, with demand increasing both nationally and worldwide. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)



In this February 28, 2017 photo, images of the late leader Fidel Castro, revolutionary hero Ernesto “Che” Guevara, and tobacco farm scenes, decorate a wall inside a state-run “drying room” where tobacco curers take a work break in San Luis, Cuba's western province Pinar del Rio, Cuba. The drying sheds are full of tobacco leaves, waiting for the moment when they are transformed into hard currency for the country, a welcome development for Cuba's ailing economy. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)

In this February 28, 2017 photo, images of the late leader Fidel Castro, revolutionary hero Ernesto “Che” Guevara, and tobacco farm scenes, decorate a wall inside a state-run “drying room” where tobacco curers take a work break in San Luis, Cuba's western province Pinar del Rio, Cuba. The drying sheds are full of tobacco leaves, waiting for the moment when they are transformed into hard currency for the country, a welcome development for Cuba's ailing economy. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)



A sorter selects cigars at the H. Upmann cigar factory in Havana, Cuba, Thursday, March 2, 2017. Distributors abroad are reporting record sales, making cigar sales an important source of foreign revenue for the cash-strapped government. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)

A sorter selects cigars at the H. Upmann cigar factory in Havana, Cuba, Thursday, March 2, 2017. Distributors abroad are reporting record sales, making cigar sales an important source of foreign revenue for the cash-strapped government. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)



In this February 28, 2017 photo, a “despalilladora” removes the central vein from a tobacco leaf inside a state-run warehouse in San Luis, in Cuba's western province Pinar del Rio. After the central vein is removed from each dried leaf, they're dipped in ammonium and water and dried again for at least two months. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)

In this February 28, 2017 photo, a “despalilladora” removes the central vein from a tobacco leaf inside a state-run warehouse in San Luis, in Cuba's western province Pinar del Rio. After the central vein is removed from each dried leaf, they're dipped in ammonium and water and dried again for at least two months. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)



Tobacco leaves hang inside a curing barn at a farm in Cuba's western province of Pinar del Rio, Cuba on March 3, 2017. (Photo by Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters)

Tobacco leaves hang inside a curing barn at a farm in Cuba's western province of Pinar del Rio, Cuba on March 3, 2017. (Photo by Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters)



Cigars are seen at the H. Upmann tobacco factory in Havana, Cuba on March 2, 2017. (Photo by Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters)

Cigars are seen at the H. Upmann tobacco factory in Havana, Cuba on March 2, 2017. (Photo by Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters)



A worker checks cigars at the quality control room at the H. Upmann Tobacco factory in Havana, Cuba, March 2, 2017. (Photo by Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters)

A worker checks cigars at the quality control room at the H. Upmann Tobacco factory in Havana, Cuba, March 2, 2017. (Photo by Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters)



A woman adds a band onto a cigar at the Corona Tobacco factory in Havana on March 2, 2017. (Photo by Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters)

A woman adds a band onto a cigar at the Corona Tobacco factory in Havana on March 2, 2017. (Photo by Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters)



Workers prepare tobacco leaves at a tobacco factory in Cuba's western province of Pinar del Rio, Cuba on March 3, 2017. (Photo by Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters)

Workers prepare tobacco leaves at a tobacco factory in Cuba's western province of Pinar del Rio, Cuba on March 3, 2017. (Photo by Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters)



A temperature meter is seen at a tobacco factory in Cuba's western province of Pinar del Rio, Cuba on March 3, 2017. (Photo by Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters)

A temperature meter is seen at a tobacco factory in Cuba's western province of Pinar del Rio, Cuba on March 3, 2017. (Photo by Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters)



In this February 28, 2017 photo, a worker hangs tobacco leaves in a drying shed, at the Martinez tobacco farm in Cuba's western province Pinar del Rio. The tobacco leaves will be hung to dry for almost two months before being sent off for cleaning and eventually rolled into cigars. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)

In this February 28, 2017 photo, a worker hangs tobacco leaves in a drying shed, at the Martinez tobacco farm in Cuba's western province Pinar del Rio. The tobacco leaves will be hung to dry for almost two months before being sent off for cleaning and eventually rolled into cigars. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)



In this February 28, 2017 photo, tobacco picker Romerio Garcia collects leaves at the Alfredo Rojas farm in Vinales, Cuba's western province Pinar del Rio. This year, officials and farmers say, will prove to be a bumper crop of tobacco for the island, with yields from the country's tobacco plantations in the north showing healthy gains. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)

In this February 28, 2017 photo, tobacco picker Romerio Garcia collects leaves at the Alfredo Rojas farm in Vinales, Cuba's western province Pinar del Rio. This year, officials and farmers say, will prove to be a bumper crop of tobacco for the island, with yields from the country's tobacco plantations in the north showing healthy gains. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)



Alejandro Castro (C-right) son of the Cuban President Fidel Castro, smokes a cigar, 03 March, 2007 during the final dinner of the Festival IX Cuban Cigars Festival in Havana. The presence of several of Castro's children in the event, offered one more symptom on the improvement of the health of Fidel Castro. (Photo by Adalberto Roque/AFP Photo)

Alejandro Castro (C-right) son of the Cuban President Fidel Castro, smokes a cigar, 03 March, 2007 during the final dinner of the Festival IX Cuban Cigars Festival in Havana. The presence of several of Castro's children in the event, offered one more symptom on the improvement of the health of Fidel Castro. (Photo by Adalberto Roque/AFP Photo)



US actor Jim Belushi (C) participates in the final session of the XIV Cigar Festival on March 2, 2012 in Havana. The session finished with an auction of Habanos humidors with some 963,000 USD raised for Cuban hospitals. (Photo by Adalberto Roque/AFP Photo)

US actor Jim Belushi (C) participates in the final session of the XIV Cigar Festival on March 2, 2012 in Havana. The session finished with an auction of Habanos humidors with some 963,000 USD raised for Cuban hospitals. (Photo by Adalberto Roque/AFP Photo)



People smoke cigars during a banquet at the XVI Havana Cigar Festival in the Cuban capital on February 28, 2014. The production of Cuban cigars experienced an eight percent growth in 2013 adding 447 million dollars to the Cuban economy. (Photo by Yamil Lage/AFP Photo)

People smoke cigars during a banquet at the XVI Havana Cigar Festival in the Cuban capital on February 28, 2014. The production of Cuban cigars experienced an eight percent growth in 2013 adding 447 million dollars to the Cuban economy. (Photo by Yamil Lage/AFP Photo)



A cigar roller (C) teaches participants in a handmade cigar rolling master class at the Convention Palace during the XIX Havana Cigar Festival, in Havana, on March 1, 2017. (Photo by Yamil Lage/AFP Photo)

A cigar roller (C) teaches participants in a handmade cigar rolling master class at the Convention Palace during the XIX Havana Cigar Festival, in Havana, on March 1, 2017. (Photo by Yamil Lage/AFP Photo)



Cuban rollers make cigars, on February 27, 2014 at the H. Upmann cigar factory in Havana. The production of Cuban cigars experienced an 8% growth in 2013 adding 447 million dollars to the Cuban economy. The XVI Havana Cigar Festival is running in Cuba with the presentation of the best Cuban cigars. (Photo by Adalberto Roque/AFP Photo)

Cuban rollers make cigars, on February 27, 2014 at the H. Upmann cigar factory in Havana. The production of Cuban cigars experienced an 8% growth in 2013 adding 447 million dollars to the Cuban economy. The XVI Havana Cigar Festival is running in Cuba with the presentation of the best Cuban cigars. (Photo by Adalberto Roque/AFP Photo)



Spain's Javier Gonzalez Lera (2nd L) pose after auctioned the “humidor” (humidifier for Havana cigar) for 170 thousand euros during the traditional “humidor” auction in the XVI Havana Cigar Festival, in Havana on February 28, 2014. The production of Cuban cigars experienced an eight percent growth in 2013 adding 447 million dollars to the Cuban economy. (Photo by Yamil Lage/AFP Photo)

Spain's Javier Gonzalez Lera (2nd L) pose after auctioned the “humidor” (humidifier for Havana cigar) for 170 thousand euros during the traditional “humidor” auction in the XVI Havana Cigar Festival, in Havana on February 28, 2014. The production of Cuban cigars experienced an eight percent growth in 2013 adding 447 million dollars to the Cuban economy. (Photo by Yamil Lage/AFP Photo)



Men smoke cigars during the contest for the longest ash during the XVII Havana Cigar Festival in Havana, on February 26, 2015. The world's largest Havana cigar festival comes as the industry possibly looks forward to a booming future following the historic announcement in December by US and Cuban leaders of moves to normalize relations after half a century. The 17th Habanos festival will honor Winston Churchill's beloved “Romeo and Juliet” cigars at the opening of the five-day event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the former British prime minister's death. (Photo by Yamil Lage/AFP Photo)

Men smoke cigars during the contest for the longest ash during the XVII Havana Cigar Festival in Havana, on February 26, 2015. The world's largest Havana cigar festival comes as the industry possibly looks forward to a booming future following the historic announcement in December by US and Cuban leaders of moves to normalize relations after half a century. The 17th Habanos festival will honor Winston Churchill's beloved “Romeo and Juliet” cigars at the opening of the five-day event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the former British prime minister's death. (Photo by Yamil Lage/AFP Photo)



A woman smokes a Montecristo cigar during a cigar smoker's competition for the longest ash, during the 17th Habanos tobacco festival, on February 26, 2015 in Havana, Cuba. The festival is held every year and will culminate in a gala dinner with an auction of humidors on Friday. After the latest developments in the relationships between Cuba and the Uniteed States, Americans are now allowed to import Cuban cigars up to $100 USD. The second round of talks about re-establishing diplomatic relations between both governments will take place on February 27 in Washington. (Photo by Sven Creutzmann/Mambo Photo/Getty Images)

A woman smokes a Montecristo cigar during a cigar smoker's competition for the longest ash, during the 17th Habanos tobacco festival, on February 26, 2015 in Havana, Cuba. The festival is held every year and will culminate in a gala dinner with an auction of humidors on Friday. After the latest developments in the relationships between Cuba and the Uniteed States, Americans are now allowed to import Cuban cigars up to $100 USD. The second round of talks about re-establishing diplomatic relations between both governments will take place on February 27 in Washington. (Photo by Sven Creutzmann/Mambo Photo/Getty Images)



A visitor to the XIX Havana Cigar Festival looks at cigars at the Convention Palace in Havana on February 27, 2017. (Photo by Yamil Lage/AFP Photo)

A visitor to the XIX Havana Cigar Festival looks at cigars at the Convention Palace in Havana on February 27, 2017. (Photo by Yamil Lage/AFP Photo)



Habano Cigar Sommeliers Preliminary Contest at the 10th Cuban Cigars Habano Festival on February 28, 2008, at Havana's Convention Palace. (Photo by Marcelino Vazquez Hernandez/AFP Photo)

Habano Cigar Sommeliers Preliminary Contest at the 10th Cuban Cigars Habano Festival on February 28, 2008, at Havana's Convention Palace. (Photo by Marcelino Vazquez Hernandez/AFP Photo)



A Cuban peasant colects tobacco leaves, in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, on February 26, 2008, during the X Havana Cigar Festival. (Photo by Luis Acosta/AFP Photo)

A Cuban peasant colects tobacco leaves, in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, on February 26, 2008, during the X Havana Cigar Festival. (Photo by Luis Acosta/AFP Photo)



An old woman smokes a cigar at Old Havana's Plaza de la Catedral on February 07, 2006 in Havana, Cuba. (Photo by Marco Prosch/Getty Images)

An old woman smokes a cigar at Old Havana's Plaza de la Catedral on February 07, 2006 in Havana, Cuba. (Photo by Marco Prosch/Getty Images)



A Cuban model displays a hat shows off a creation with a tobacco leaf motif, 28 February 2003, during a fashion show at Havana's 5th Cigar festival in Cuba. (Photo by Adalberto Roque/AFP Photo)

A Cuban model displays a hat shows off a creation with a tobacco leaf motif, 28 February 2003, during a fashion show at Havana's 5th Cigar festival in Cuba. (Photo by Adalberto Roque/AFP Photo)



In this February 28, 2017 photo, a worker removes fermented tobacco leaves from a box in preparation for the “breathing” stage, at a state-run warehouse in San Luis, in Cuba's western province of Pinar del Rio. Depending on the leaf, tobacco is left to “breath” in a dark space from anywhere between two months to several years. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)

In this February 28, 2017 photo, a worker removes fermented tobacco leaves from a box in preparation for the “breathing” stage, at a state-run warehouse in San Luis, in Cuba's western province of Pinar del Rio. Depending on the leaf, tobacco is left to “breath” in a dark space from anywhere between two months to several years. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)



Jim Robinson of the U.S. poses for a photo holding a cigar of his own brand in Havana, Cuba, March 1, 2017. Picture taken March 1, 2017. (Photo by Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters)

Jim Robinson of the U.S. poses for a photo holding a cigar of his own brand in Havana, Cuba, March 1, 2017. Picture taken March 1, 2017. (Photo by Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters)
06 Mar 2017 00:04:00