A Cuban cigar maker broke his own record on Friday by rolling possibly the world's longest cigar at 90m (295 feet), the length of a soccer field, dedicating the monster smoke to Fidel Castro ahead of the retired leader's 90th birthday.
A Cuban cigar maker broke his own record on Friday by rolling possibly the world's longest cigar at 90m (295 feet), the length of a soccer field. He dedicated the monster smoke to Fidel Castro ahead of the retired leader's 90th birthday.
Castro, who took power in Cuba's 1959 revolution and ruled for nearly half a century, was often seen puffing on his favoured, long and thin lancero model until he quit in 1985.
"I want to dedicate this to a beloved Comandante Fidel Castro," said Jose Castelar Cairo, better known as "Cueto", who has won the world record five times before.
For Cueto, a 72-year-old who learned cigar rolling when he was 5 years old, it is a matter of national pride for Cuba to keep the record.
The length of the cigar was verified by a British Embassy official, who said the information would be sent in a letter to Guinness World Records requesting confirmation of the record.
1. Cigar and cutter
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A 90-meter-long cigar rolled by Cuban cigar roller Jose Castelar Cairo, known as "Cueto" (out of frame), was dedicated to Fidel Castro, for his 90th birthday. (Photo courtesy - AFP)
2. Cueto measuring the cigar
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Cueto eclipsed his previous record of around 82 meters (270 feet) with his new masterpiece, which took 10 days to roll with the help of several assistants in an old Spanish colonial era fort overlooking Havana Bay. (Photo courtesy - AFP)
3. Cutting frays
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Although it is as thick as any usual Cuban cigar, the monstrous length required his team to work 12 hours a day to finish the cigar. (Photo courtesy - AFP)
4. Jose Castelar
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Tobacconist Jose Castelar (in red shirt) dedicated his work to Fidel Castro on his 90th birthday.
"The best tobacco in the world is Cuban so I think Cuba should keep the record for the biggest cigar," he said, noting it was a challenging task. (Photo courtesy - AFP)
5. Cigarro
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The cigar was presented on long tables in an old colonial fort overlooking the harbour of Havana. (Photo courtesy - Reuters)
