You won't find this in the States

You've all heard that Americans are banned from traveling to Cuba, right?

Ever heard the term "Cuban trade embargo"? Well, in the early 60's, the U.S. established a trade embargo against Cuba basically to sanction Fidel Castro's communist regime.

And you've all heard of the Cuban Missile Crisis, right? Well, that was more or less when Castro allowed the Soviets to construct missiles that could possibly strike the U.S. So, again, the U.S. responded by preventing Soviet ships from delivering materials to Cuba.

Apparently as long as Castro lives and Cuba remains communist, the trade embargo will probably remain in effect. In fact, in 2004, it was made even more restrictive when the Bush Administration made it not only illegal to bring Cuban cigars to the States, an American cannot legally buy or smoke a Cuban cigar in countries where they are legal.

Like here in Belgium.

No problem. We don't smoke Cuban cigars.

And the same goes for Cuban rum. So despite it being sold at the grocery store across the street, we don't drink Cuban rum either. That we know of.

Although I'm not sure we need to worry.

Here's a picture of former TX representative Tom Delay enjoying a Cuban cigar - while in office - and nothing happened.

Over this incident, that is.

His name may ring a bell though . . . along with things like - money laundering - Jack Abramoff - indictment - Coalition for a Conservative Majority.

But I digress . . .

So, back to Cuba . . . Americans aren't technically banned from traveling to Cuba, we just can't spend money there. So technically, we are banned from traveling to Cuba. And furthermore, if you're caught illegally visiting Cuba, you may get slapped with a hefty fine of $7,500.

That's a pretty decent deterrent.

Besides the fact that it's illegal.

So, as I understand it, this embargo, that's lasted almost my entire life, began as a sanction against a communist regime.

I'm not sure where "Made in China" and melamine fits into all this, but I am certainly glad we are protected from the possibility of smoking Cuban cigars or drinking Havana rum.

That's for sure.