El Presidente

Congrats Chicago Bearister (Mike!) for winning the FOHNFL Tipping Competition Great season team! You guys went head to head until the end! 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th will all receive prizes so please email me with your delivery details. Also, and clear round winners email me this week with the same delivery details. All cigars will be shipped next week

Great photo/postcard. How you would love to interview these guys over a long lunch? What are the questions you would ask?

How did you guys handle Super Bowl Sunday?

https://www.winnipegsun.com/news/resorts-in-cuba-temporarily-close-due-to-fuel-shortage/article_7de2499c-4be9-427a-93b7-72b371ccd0fa.html Airlines offering to rebook guests for free Air Transat and Air Canada have activated flexible rebooking policies to Cuba as the Caribbean island nation struggles to deal with shortages after the U.S. blocked oil supplies to the country. Air Transat’s policy applies to customers with travel dates between Feb. 7 and April 30, 2026 at hotels closed in Cayo Santa Maria, Cayo Coco, Veradero and Holguin. The company said travellers may change the date, hotel, or destination without penalty, or the trip may be cancelled at no charge, and a travel credit will be issued. Air Canada’s policy applies to customers with travel dates between Feb. 6 and Feb. 25, 2026, for flights to or from Cayo Coco, Holguin, Santa Clara and Varadero, allowing them to change their flight, free of charge, to another Air Canada destination, subject to availability in the cabin originally purchased. It said a fare difference may apply. The airline said those who choose to cancel their booking can either choose to receive a credit to their AC Wallet or convert the value of their ticket to a future travel credit. It also said those who purchased a ticket with Air Canada Vacations should reach out to the airline’s tour operator directly. WestJet Airlines Ltd. and Sunwing Vacations said they are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to follow the direction of the Canadian government. Travel advisory for Cuba Last week, Global Affairs Canada changed its travel guidance on Cuba to “exercise a high degree of caution,” citing the energy crisis and shortages of basic goods. In early January, Washington effectively cut off fuel shipments to Cuba from its top ally Venezuela. U.S. President Donald Trump has since threatened to slap tariffs on nations that send oil to the island.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cuban-cia-castro-energy-collapse-9.7078628 "In Cuba," said Buenos Aires-based Cuban lawyer Alain Espinoza of rights group Cubalex, "power has always been divided between those who show their faces, such as Díaz-Canel and the Council of State, and those who control the Cuban economy behind the curtain, such as Alejandro Castro Espín — and behind him large economic concerns, including the military-owned holding company GAESA, who are the ones who control all the money and economy of Cuba." Espinoza said he doesn't believe the regime as a whole would ever agree to leave power, but "we can't rule out the possibility that those who control the Cuban economy might be willing to negotiate an exit that allows them to keep some of the fortune they have amassed, without having to fear legal repercussions or criminal prosecution." The deal that might emerge from such talks could strongly resemble the deal with Delcy Rodríguez, now Venezuela's acting president, where some elements within the regime turn against others in order to secure better terms for themselves from Washington.

Cuba has warned airlines it is suspending jet fuel supplies for a month because of an energy crisis prompted by the US attack on Venezuela, an official at a European carrier said. Cuba has told carriers serving the island that starting midnight on Monday into Tuesday, they cannot refuel there, the official told AFP on Sunday on condition of anonymity. Cuba is reeling from a US-ordered halt in oil shipments from Venezuela after American troops abducted Nicolas Maduro. Planes covering long-distance flights from Cuba will now have to stop somewhere after leaving the island to get more jet fuel, this official quoted Cuban aviation officials as saying. Air France told AFP its planes would stop somewhere else in the Caribbean to refuel. The Cuban government on Friday announced emergency measures to address the island's energy crisis, including a four-day work week for state-owned companies and fuel sale restrictions. The belt-tightening measures include a reduction in bus and train services between provinces and the closure of certain tourist establishments. School days will also be made shorter, and universities will relax requirements on in-person attendance.

Updated Alex!!!! you get 10% of the net!* *10% after all costs inclusive of lifestyle costs of Rob Ayala. Confidentiality agreement in place so Ken has no idea he is not being paid.

The link will be emailed to all in 10 mins.

Brilliant work Nothing more special than creating memories through putting smiles on faces.

Seven Injured as Fire Engulfs Beloved Cigar Lounge in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn Early Saturday morning, a fire occurred at Blew Smoke, a cigar lounge on Washington Avenue in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. According to News 12 Long Island, the fire started shortly after 2:30 a.m. and was brought under control within an hour by New York City firefighters. Two firefighters were injured during the response. EMS transported six people to nearby hospitals with minor injuries; all are expected to survive. Video footage showed heavy smoke coming from the cigar lounge, as per ABC7NY. Emergency services responded to the scene and contained the fire, preventing further damage or injuries. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Officials have not provided any information or speculation regarding what may have started the blaze, and inquiries are ongoing.

I will PM the link 15 minutes prior.

I have been beaten to the market by Kirby and I sincerely wish him well. We will be launching our own similar concept shortly.

The bands are the big upgrade project for BR in 2026. I wear the blame here. We could have gone top tier by importing from Europe but I insisted on every aspect of BR, Desnudo, MOFOH to be made in Honduras. Box makers, ribbon suppliers, band manufacturers. We have invested money to assist the local artisans to get up to speed. I really want the dollars to remain in Honduras and assist this aspect of the local economy to rise and become world class. It will happen slowly, but it will happen 😉

Happy birthday for January 3rd Ken