On Monday, the Cuban Minister of Transportation, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, announced that Cubans currently on foreign missions will be permitted to import low-cost vehicles. These vehicles can be combustion, hybrid, or electric. This decision is part of a series of reforms aimed at enhancing mobility and modernizing the transportation sector in Cuba. However, the Minister cautioned that this initiative is not a "magic solution" to the longstanding issues within the system, as he mentioned during the state-run program Mesa Redonda.
Rodríguez Dávila explained that the new regulations, recently approved and published in the Official Gazette, allow Cuban cooperatives, diplomats, businesspeople, and collaborators to import affordable vehicles, focusing particularly on low-cost models. The import process will be facilitated from the countries where these individuals are stationed, with Transimport managing the shipping of these vehicles to the island.
"These actions aim to gradually address transportation issues, but we should not expect this policy to immediately solve all the accumulated shortages over the years," emphasized the head of MITRANS. In addition to Cubans on missions, the new regulations also permit "all" Cuban citizens to import motorcycles and extend the possibility to bring in hybrid or combustion mopeds and bicycles.
The Minister highlighted that these reforms are part of a broader governmental effort to improve citizen mobility, promote the transition to sustainable energy sources, and generate the necessary resources to strengthen public transportation and infrastructure in a nation facing extreme crisis.
This measure was previously announced by the Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, during the third Ordinary Session of the Tenth Legislature of Parliament. As Cuba experiences its worst crisis in 65 years, the regime is attempting to mitigate public discontent with last-minute measures.
FAQs on Vehicle Importation for Cubans Abroad
Who is eligible to import low-cost vehicles under the new Cuban policy?
Cubans serving on foreign missions, including cooperatives, diplomats, businesspeople, and collaborators, are eligible to import low-cost vehicles under the new policy.
What types of vehicles can be imported?
Eligible individuals can import combustion, hybrid, or electric vehicles, with a focus on low-cost models.
How will the vehicle importation process be managed?
The entity Transimport will coordinate the shipping of these vehicles from the countries where the Cubans are stationed to the island.
Are there other importation allowances in the new regulations?
Yes, the regulations also allow all Cuban citizens to import motorcycles, mopeds, and hybrid or combustion bicycles.