He has been working to rebuild the engine of his father in law’s Moskvich, one of the tens of thousands that have poured into Cuba over the past 50 years from its Cold War allies, the Soviet bloc and then Russia.
It needs a new timing belt to run. Perez Rodriguez stated that this is something only Russians have access to. Western sanctions, imposed following Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, have caused disruptions to flights.
Cubans face a serious problem due to global restrictions on trade and transport with Russia. Cuba’s socialist government has been living since the 1960s under an embargo by the United States. Many of the island’s trucks, buses, cars, and tractors are from Russia, and are now in dire need of parts.
These parts, much like Russian tourists are no longer arriving.
Even in the best of times, transportation in Cuba can be challenging. There are many options for transportation in Cuba. Buses are often scarce, and cargo trucks are sometimes used to transport rural passengers. Streets are filled with Russian-made Ladas and Niva SUVs, and Jeep-like Uazs.
Many of the iconic 1950s-vintage American cars which cruise along Havana’s waterfront are now modified to use Russian engines and other parts.
According to Cuban statistics, the island is home to about 20,000 American-made cars and between 80,000 and 100,000 Ladas.
Everything is imported from Russia for the Ladas. Perez Rodriguez, 57 years old, runs a lathe shop in Artemisa, near Havana.
William LeoGrande, an expert in Cuba at American University in Washington, D.C., stated that disruptions to the tourism industry and financial transactions between Russia and Cuba would also be caused by “the interruption in transportation”
He said, “This just makes it even more difficult, even if there are ways to work around the sanctions on Russia.” It will be more costly; it will take more time and it will only make their economic situation worse.
Already, Cuba’s economy has been hit hard by increased U.S. sanctions and the outbreak of coronavirus.
Manuel Taboada (26-year-old taxi driver from Old Havana) is already concerned about his Lada.
Taboada stated that “Now, with the mess in the war, and with all that is happening,” it would have a major effect because they won’t be able to travel or bring anything in. “Honestly, we don’t know where we are going to end because there are parts for this car.”
It is hard to quantify the exact extent of the problem because most of the trade in parts occurs in the informal marketplace — exchanges between individuals. Pavel Vidal Alejandro from the Pontifical Javeriana University, Cali, Colombia, was an economist. “The Cubans place a lot of restrictions on traveling to other countries without the need for a visa, with Russia being one of them.”
He said, “Even with distance and the cost of travel, it was an area from which goods were brought” for both the formal market and self-employed Cubans.
Many people found it easier to obtain the parts by traveling to Florida. There are sellers who specialize in importing Russian parts for those travelling to Cuba. This is also complicated by sanctions on Russian shipping and banks.
Roberto Hernandez, the owner of MZ Miami said that there is more demand. He estimates it has risen to 80%.
Basilio Perez, a Florida resident, is one of many who make frequent trips back to Florida to see family. He still has an old Moskvich.
He stated that he couldn’t find the parts he needed to repair the steering mechanism of his car in Florida or Cuba in recent days.
“Before, people in Cuba could travel and find parts. Perez stated that there is now nothing.
Humberto Santana, a 69-year old man from Artemisa, arrived at Perez Rodriguez’s workshop to fix a crankshaft on his Russian-made truck. He said that it was impossible and there were no parts to replace the crankshaft. Instead, he would try to find a Japanese engine and fit it.
Santana stated, “The Cuban always invents.”
