Cuba lifting restriction on purchase of cars

Associated Press + More

By ANDREA RODRIGUEZ, Associated Press





The government lifted restrictions on the sales of used cars between individuals two years ago but the artificial shortage of imported cars raised the prices of all vehicles on the island, meaning even Cuba's iconic, decades-old American-made jalopies sell for tens of thousands of dollars despite their often decrepit condition. Cuba has no car factories.

President Raul Castro has been slowly allowing private enterprise into Cuba's state-controlled economy and reducing the number and complexity of economic regulations in recent years, often opening a sector but imposing new restrictions when officials start to feel changes are happening too quickly or creating unexpected problems.

"It's become clear that while private sales of cars between individuals has developed smoothly, the sale of cars using 'authorization cards' has been inadequate and obsolete," the Communist Party newspaper Granma declared. "The card, apart from being overly bureaucratic, became a source of speculation and illicit self-enrichment."

In coming days, Granma said, "steps will be taken to eliminate restrictions that lost their reason for being with the passage of time. Administrative shackles that created opportunities for illegal activity will also disappear."


"It's the best thing they could have done for us Cubans. This way everyone can have better transportation. It's the best thing they've ever done," said Virgen Ruiz, a 24-year-old manicurist seated outside Havana's Peugeot dealership, which has cars on display but only sells them to the government, which then adds taxes and fees and sells them on to private clients.

"That is what we Cubans have been hoping for a long time, that the law be for everyone and not just some privileged people whom travel such as sailors," said Rafael Garcia, 47, a merchant marine.

"I imagine the prices won't be accessible for all, but at least there's a chance at something better," Garcia added.




Follow Andrea Rodríguez on Twitter at:
