What next.....by Punch Joe

[El Presidente]

[CdnLimitada]

I better get in to see these guys!!

[Guest rob]

Really sad... Could be a long lost art sooner or later.

[Phillys]

Sad times we live in.

[Hohenthal]

Depressing

[Nino]

That mail must have been delayed as Santos retired at the end of February already and it was widely known before, he's a consultant in Asia now.

All the other problems mentioned ( La China / Hamlet ) also started late last year.

Sad that there is no action by HSA/TC to prevent this loss.

[OZCUBAN]

To me it just seems like another case of extreme bad management by HSA one thing is certain they will always find a way to shoot themselves in the foot

All that great knowledge WASTED

[laficion]

I'm sorry to read that José. What a waste of talent from HSA.I hope that It will work itself out soon.

Guy

[riazp]

Damn damn shame...Habanos S.A should be ashamed.

[stargazer14]

I'm confused, how does this relate to all the talk about huge stocks of aging leaf?

[Bartolomeo]

Couple of things you gotta keep in mind. These people were very lucky to make it past 50 and still be able to roll. Many like Mons can't continue because of arthritis in their hands, they become administrative folks. It seems that the government doesn't want to continue the tradition and that is likely pressure from the Altadis police. They will likely put these rollers in administrative positions or quality control. If they are older and retire, they will let them travel to LCDH in other countries. When you have the Cuban government in the mix there is no need for explanation, they just naturally **** things up.

Bart

[CanuckSARTech]

Couple of things you gotta keep in mind. These people were very lucky to make it past 50 and still be able to roll. Many like Mons can't continue because of arthritis in their hands, they become administrative folks. It seems that the government doesn't want to continue the tradition and that is likely pressure from the Altadis police. They will likely put these rollers in administrative positions or quality control. If they are older and retire, they will let them travel to LCDH in other countries. When you have the Cuban government in the mix there is no need for explanation, they just naturally ..... things up.

Bart™

Very well put, Bart. LOL.

Unfortunately, I agree with what many have wrote here. It's a shame, as some amazing artistry and talent is going to be left on the backburner. But H S.A. just doesn't want that celebrity all-star status given to these rollers, in a political system of one-for-all.

[CanuckSARTech]

I'm confused, how does this relate to all the talk about huge stocks of aging leaf?

Yes, lots of stock there. But this is a political move by H S.A., spurned by the business influence of Altadis. The company(ies) want to profit directly, and not allow individual shops/rollers/people to get that status. A way to cut down on other issues within the industry as well (backroom deals, grey/black market sales, etc.)

[riazp]

... When you have the Cuban government in the mix there is no need for explanation, they just naturally **** things up.

Bart™

I agree 110% with you here Bart

[Nino]

Can't agree more with Bart's comment, specially the last sentence ... ;-)

Also, Keith has it right about this being a "political" move by HSA.

Nevertheless a great loss that should be corrected if they were smart, but they ain't .... you can't have racing horses if you're ruled by envious donkeys.

[bugman78629]

Sad Times..........

[Duxnutz]

So with all these retirements, is there anyone rolling customs at the hotels/LCDH's?

[AndrewNR]

If you allow things to be ran by monkeys, you'll get peanuts.

Why anybody would let such a significant heart and soul collection of people just drift and disappear into offices is beyond me however, But what can you do.