Damarys Maldonado, new co-CEO of Coprova

The Cuban woman previously worked at Havana House, the Habanos exclusive distributor in Canada. She succeeds Enrique Babot.

Damarys Maldonado is the new co-CEO of Coprova, alongside Antoine Bathie. The Cuban national took up her position at the exclusive distributor of Cuban cigars in France in early 2026, succeeding Enrique Babot, who returned to Habanos S.A.’s headquarters in Havana after six years in France.

A graduate in mathematical cybernetics from the University of Havana, Maldonado also holds degrees in various fields, including accounting and finance, marketing, and business management.

She joined Habanos S.A. in 1996 as part of the information systems team. In 2009, she moved to the Cuban group’s strategic marketing department. In 2013, she was appointed Vice President of Marketing and Sales, and later President of Havana House Cigars & Tobacco Merchants, the distributor of Habanos cigars for the Canadian market. Then, in 2017, she rejoined Habanos S.A. as International Markets Supervisor, within the Commercial Vice Presidency.

“I am thrilled to be joining the talented team at Coprova, a company that recently celebrated its 55th anniversary,” she told L’Amateur. “I believe that French aficionados are very knowledgeable, discerning, and great lovers of Habanos.”

She regularly enjoys Partagás D4 and Montecristo No. 4. “But my favorite, and one of the first Habanos I ever smoked, was the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Especial,” she added. “A friend recommended it to me, and I return to it whenever I can. For special occasions, I particularly enjoy savoring a Cohiba, our prestigious and iconic brand, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary.” »

Coprova is the Habanos exclusive distributor in France and Monaco. In 2024 (the latest figures available), France was among Habanos S.A.’s top 10 markets in terms of value and ranked 4th in terms of volume.