The United States' embargo on Cuba and CIA's apparent numerous assassination attempts on Fidel Castro are referenced here.
Business for Cuba had declined over the past year and he just wasn't receiving as many visitors as before. The resulting decrease in his income disappointed him and he couldn't help but hold a slight feeling of disgust at America for making things difficult.
"What does he have against me, that he's stopping trade with me? If there's anytime I'd gladly put up with spoiled rich folk, it's now!"
His memory wandered back to slightly more prosperous times, when his place was a popular place for tourists and the atmosphere always seemed to be alive.
A sharply dressed and well groomed man with a suitcase walked by, whom Cuba initially believed to be a product of his vivid imagination, until the man called for attention and demanded to purchase a cigar.
"Hey, do you understand English?" The man asked impatiently in a clear American accent, while holding his hand out.
"Yes!" Cuba muttered hastily.
"I'd like a pack of cigars. Make it quick!"
Cuba fumbled for one of the little boxes laid out in his stall and held it out. The American quickly paid and took it, shoving it into his coat pocket before taking off, hissing to himself about how he had a plane to catch.
"Do you know what my Dad told me about the Prime Minister?"
Cuba overheard the politician's child chattering excitedly to their friend and listened in curiosity, despite the fact he wasn't usually interested in the conversations of children.
"He told me that the Americans tried to poison him with a cigar."
Cuba was skeptical. In the time he had known Mr Castro, he'd never heard of or witnessed any such assassination attempts against his boss. Well there was that one incident with the thallium, but he'd always thought a poisoned cigar was a little out of practice for most American intelligence agents.