From our Bureau of Milestone Events in the History of Hypocrisy, with some assistance from our Bureau of Partnerships Made in Hell
Wow. Mercedes-Benz has a dealership in Havana. And it has sold one of its super-expensive models to a “private customer.” Wow. Who could that be? Sandro Castro? Or could it be Mariela, the Booger Princess? Such an absolute betrayal of the principles of communism deserves attention, especially because those principles are strictly observed by Castro, Inc. when it comes to private ownership of anything by 99% of Cubans.
Welcome to a living, breathing representation of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. Yes, Mildred, some animals are more equal than others.
From CiberCuba
The automotive company Mercedes-Benz celebrated as a historic milestone in Cuba the sale of its first car to a private customer, following the new law on vehicle import and commercialization on the island approved by the regime.
In a Facebook post, MCV Comercial S.A., the official distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Cuba, shared the moment when the first contract was signed with a Cuban client.
“Today we make history together,” stated the company, which celebrated the recent “opening” of the Cuban market.
This event takes place against the backdrop of a new policy that relaxes restrictions on the sale of foreign vehicles on the island, but it also highlights the growing polarization within it.
While 90% of the population lives in extreme poverty according to recent figures published by international organizations, an emerging sector can afford to buy cars that, if we refer to the Mercedez Benz catalog published on Wednesday, have a starting price of 50 thousand dollars.
Although Mercedes-Benz leads this initial sale, other brands are also available in Cuba, including Chinese ones, which have gained ground in the local market due to their more affordable prices.
According to the recently released catalog, MCV Comercial S.A. offers a diverse range that includes luxury vehicles as well as “more affordable” options (priced between $51,000 and over $191,000, taxes included).
On January 1st, several reforms to the regulations regarding the import, sale, and transfer of vehicles went into effect, aimed at modernizing the automotive fleet and alleviating the tensions surrounding access to transportation on the island.
The legal text indicated that there was a goal to update a regulatory framework that has remained rigid for decades, with the declared objective of improving management of transportation and easing access to vehicles.
However, these measures, while significant on paper, seem to be insufficient to address the deep-rooted issues of the transportation crisis on the island, characterized by decades of state inefficiency, unaffordable prices, and excessive restrictions.
Carlos, when there is no shame, practically anything is possible.