Cuban lawyer Manuel Viera, known on social media as "Manuel Viera Porelcambio," denounced on Facebook the terrible condition of rental cars available to tourists in Cuba.
Viera explained that a friend of his traveled to a city in eastern Cuba and had to pay over 100 dollars a day for a vehicle in deplorable condition, showing signs of wear and makeshift repairs.
"I had to take pictures," Viera wrote in his post. He added images of the car to the post so that people could see the condition in which the government maintains the vehicles rented to tourists for a significant amount of money.
"A friend who came to visit his mom rented this Chinese car in Bayamo for 105 dollars a day. They say they didn't have any others. It looks like a professional boxer after round 12!" Viera added.
He highlighted the "details of the flaws in the defense and the green wires holding the mask." The post has sparked a wave of comments from other Cubans, who have also expressed their frustration with the deterioration of rental vehicles on the island.
The issue reported by Viera reflects a widespread situation in Cuba, where rental cars, instead of being modernized or taken out of service, continue to operate under critical conditions.
"That car is not out of service; that car is for rent. If not, go to the Santiago de Cuba airport to see how the cars are; it's a sad sight," the lawyer noted in his post, highlighting the lack of alternatives and the neglect in maintaining the fleet designated for tourism.
In recent years, the Cuban government has acquired batches of new cars for the tourism sector. However, those in poor condition are rarely taken out of circulation; instead, they are sold at inflated prices to the public or assigned to specific sectors, such as athletes or doctors.
This practice not only endangers the safety of those who use it, but also negatively impacts the country's image as a tourist destination.
The mechanical and aesthetic issues of these cars, some of which have been involved in accidents, concern both Cubans and visitors.
Despite the fact that the car rental policy in Cuba operates in freely convertible currency (MLC), which should have improved the condition of rental cars, the reality seems to be different. The rental system on the island still suffers from significant deficiencies despite the high cost of the service.
Manuel Viera's complaint highlights a problem that affects both tourists and Cubans, who often have no choice but to rent vehicles in poor condition when visiting the island.
The situation calls for an urgent review to ensure that the vehicles meet the minimum safety and quality standards required for this service.
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