Cuba Gov. Bans Import of Auto Parts
HAVANA TIMES, Apr. 30 – The Cuban authorities banned the import of auto and motorbike engines and bodyworks, which they had approved two years ago, according to a new resolution published in the Gaceta Oficial. Two months before the government also decided to cancel the purchase of modern cars abroad to replace older models, reported IPS.
Banned engines and bodyworks. Old cars with new engines still burn fuel. Is this a fuel saving measure? Did this banning refer to government purchases only?
I bet a lot of cubans will not like this. I am assuming this happened because of the World recession and an increasing cuban balance-of-payments deficit. What to do, eh?
Hopefully cheaper vehicles and parts can be had soon from outside the Western imperialist economic sphere: from say, China or Russia, or even from America Latina. Cuba definitely — and desperately — needs to continue to raise its technological and industrial level. It is a requirement of building socialism. But food first. Always the food first.