Believe it or not, despite the U.S. Embargo against Cuba, you can drink a Coke while smoking a Marlboro, wearing your Jordache jeans and Nikes and I’m not talking a warm can you bought in a back alley on the black market. According to a recent report on MSNBC, U.S. companies are making money in Cuba and both governments are turning a blind eye.

Trade sanctions bar American tourists from visiting Cuba and allow exports only of U.S. food and farm products, medical supplies and some telecommunications equipment. But wholesalers and distributors in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Canada routinely sell some of America’s most recognizable brands to Cuban importers.

International politics never trump the power of the almighty dollar and perhaps this is a prime example. These U.S. brand name items are especially marketed, and marked up, for tourists, who are likely to shell out extra pesos for a name they know and trust. However, buyer beware because some of those brand names may be knock-offs.

Via / MSNBC