Just steps away from the bustling chaos of Old Havana, Esteban García stands idly in a silent cigar shop, staring blankly at the empty mahogany shelves that lie behind a heavy glass door. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, García’s shop received deliveries of premium Habanos — cigars from brands like Romeo y Julieta, Montecristo and the flagship Cohiba — three times a month. Over the last few years, though, shipments have slowed to just once a month.
And in recent weeks, even that pace isn't guaranteed. From poor harvests to hurricanes, the Cuban cigar industry has been dogged by years of supply-side problems. Now, as the United States imposes a de facto oil blockade on the island, the Cuban cigar industry is facing its greatest challenge yet.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
