Cubans Shift to Chinese Electric Motorbikes in Havana

Cuba, once the wealthiest nation in Latin America, is grappling with a deteriorating power grid that has become increasingly unreliable after 65 years of communist rule. The regime's neglect of infrastructure maintenance has led to frequent blackouts and even nationwide power grid failures, making the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) a risky venture. The situation is exacerbated by the regime's replacement of the educated class with poorly prepared elites, further hindering economic progress. The rise of EVs in Cuba is closely linked to the country's partnership with China. The Cuban government has engaged in manufacturing through a joint venture called "Caribbean Electric Vehicles" (Vedca), co-owned with Tianjin Dongxing. This collaboration, which has been developing for several years, is part of a broader trend of significant Chinese investment in Cuba, despite the nation being one of the least favorable markets for such endeavors. While the partnership aims to enhance Cuba's manufacturing capabilities, it has faced challenges due to the Cuban government's limited ability to provide valuable resources. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which Cuba joined in 2021, was intended to improve the country's energy infrastructure, but progress has been slow. The regime's failure to maintain functional facilities for refining and distributing fuel has compounded the energy crisis. In a bid to address these issues, Russia announced plans in July to construct a new oil refinery in Cuba, potentially fostering collaboration between Moscow, Havana, and Venezuela, which holds the world's largest oil reserves. This development could offer a glimmer of hope for Cuba's struggling energy sector.