Stop the Cuban Embargo

Reason's Hit & Run: OFAC You

Smoke a cigar containing Cuban tobacco in Mexico, go to American jail.

That's the new rule handed down by the odiously-but-accurately named Office of Foreign Assets Control, the freedom-abroad-limiting wing of the Treasury Department. The clarification [PDF], issued Sept. 30, explains that the previous $100 limit on Americans' importation of Cuban merchandise (I should say, licensed Americans' importation, since buying a Cuban tortilla is illegal without Treasury Dept. permission), has now been reduced to $0. And don't think you're free from Uncle Sam if a buddy gives you a Cohiba in Cancun, or even if you're not an American citizen.

This prohibition extends to such products acquired in Cuba, irrespective of whether a traveler is licensed by OFAC to engage in Cuba travel related transactions, and to such products acquired in third countries by any U.S. traveler, including purchases at duty free shops. Importation of these Cuban goods is prohibited whether the goods are purchased directly by the importer or given to the importer as a gift. [...]

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. [...] [T]he 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.

And what, you ask, are the penalties of not doing what the government wants?

Criminal penalties go as high as $1,000,000 in fines for corporations. Individuals can get slapped with up to $250,000 and up to 10 years in prison. They can also impose civil penalties of up to $65,000 per violation.

Castro is a socialist tyrant and I want the Cuban government to fall. But not through an economic embargo that punishes peaceful people who enage in trade.

The Bush Administration continues to show it's ignorance of economics and a disdain for individual rights.

Posted by Drizzten at October 13, 2004 10:09 AM