The streets of Cuba resemble an open-air museum: here you can see American cars from the 1950s, Soviet \"Zhiguli,\" and only occasionally modern foreign cars. The situation with new cars on the island has remained extremely complex for over sixty years. The reasons for this lie in a complex of historical, political, and economic factors that have made the car a luxury for most Cubans.

The American embargo - a historical barrier

Before the 1959 revolution, Cuba was one of the leaders in Latin America in terms of the number of cars. In the 1950s, there were about 150,000 cars on the island, mainly American brands. However, after Fidel Castro came to power and the United States imposed a trade embargo in the early 1960s, the import of cars and parts practically came to a halt. The island found itself isolated, and the existing vehicle fleet had to be preserved by all available means. Cubans learned to repair old cars with makeshift tools, combining Soviet engines with American bodies. It was then that classic cars became a symbol of ingenuity and survival.

Economic crisis and low income

Cuba's economy was hit hard after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, which was the island's main economic partner. Cuba lost about 80-85% of oil and oil product supplies, as well as significant subsidies. The country entered the so-called \"Special Period\" - one of the most severe economic crises in its history.

Today, the average salary in Cuba remains extremely low - approximately 10-30 dollars per month in real terms. At the same time, even after the recent relaxation of import rules, the cost of a new car starts at about 16,000 dollars, including all taxes and markups. This gap makes car ownership unaffordable for the vast majority of Cubans. Economists call the new import rules disconnected from reality, as only those who have hard currency will have access to them.

Fuel shortage and dependence on imports

In addition to the lack of new cars, the country faces a severe fuel shortage. Cuba produces only about 40% of the fuel consumed and heavily relies on imports. Starting from January 2026, the Trump administration tightened sanctions against the Cuban oil industry, leading to new disruptions in gasoline supply. Even if new cars were to be brought to the island, there would be almost nothing to fuel them. The fuel crisis is exacerbated by the wear and tear of infrastructure and the lack of modernization of oil refineries.

Import restrictions and high tariffs

Until recently, Cuba had strict restrictions on the import of cars. The import of cars was only allowed through state enterprises or for diplomats. It was practically forbidden for private individuals to buy new cars abroad. In 2026, the authorities relaxed some rules, allowing imports under the condition of paying high tariffs. However, the level of tariffs remains so high that the final price of a car increases several times, making it unaffordable for ordinary citizens.

Lack of dealer networks and service maintenance

There are virtually no official dealer centers for major global car manufacturers in Cuba. This means that even if a new car arrives on the island, the owner faces the problem of maintenance: a lack of original parts, qualified mechanics, and specialized equipment. Therefore, most Cubans prefer to buy old cars that can be repaired with makeshift tools rather than risk expensive modern technology.

Conclusion: a complex of insurmountable obstacles

Thus, the absence of new cars in Cuba is the result of the interaction of several factors: a long-standing American embargo, a deep economic crisis, poverty, fuel shortages, high tariffs, and the lack of infrastructure for maintenance. Until these problems are resolved at the state level, the streets of Cuba will continue to preserve the look of a bygone era, and the car will remain an unattainable dream for most Cubans.
© libmonster.com

Permanent link to this publication: