High Representative/Vice-President Kallas, in a written answer on 22 July 2026, signalled that the European Commission takes seriously allegations of systematic forced labour by political prisoners in Cuban cigar production and will be able to investigate such products once the EU's forced labour regulation takes effect in December 2027. The answer, responding to a question from MEP Barbara Bonte (PfE), indicates that the Commission is aware of reports by Prisoners Defenders detailing harsh forced labour conditions at prisons like Quivicán, where prisoners roll cigars up to 15 hours a day for state-owned Tabacuba. However, Kallas did not commit to suspending the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement with Cuba, instead emphasising that the agreement provides a framework for engagement, including on areas of divergence such as political detentions. The answer reiterates the EU's call for fundamental reforms and the release of political prisoners, noting that the EU Delegation in Havana and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights regularly raise such cases. On forced labour, Kallas stated that from the entry into application of Regulation (EU) 2024/3015 in December 2027, the Commission and national authorities will be able to investigate products suspected of being made with forced labour, including based on submissions from stakeholders.
The answer contains no concrete proposals beyond the existing regulatory framework, and does not address whether the current use of political prisoners in cigar production already violates the regulation, which applies from December 2027. The response suggests a continued diplomatic approach rather than immediate trade measures, with institutional follow-up expected only after the regulation's enforcement date.