Luxury Cars and Power: A Look at the Vehicles Driven by Cuba's Leaders

The recent addition of a car to the Fidel Castro Ruz Center's collection has sparked significant online debate about the types of cars historically driven by the leaders of the "Cuban Revolution." The newly showcased vehicle is an armored Mercedes Benz 500 SEL, series 126, which Fidel Castro used for over two decades. It was his preferred work car due to its comfort and security, and he typically traveled in a convoy of three cars.

For years, the Cuban regime portrayed its leaders as modest individuals, removed from the trappings of luxury. However, historical photos, official records, and heritage collections tell a different story. The top figures of the Revolution navigated in high-end American cars, military jeeps, and later, Soviet vehicles reserved for the elite. This automotive history reveals a parallel truth about revolutionary privilege, diverging from the narrative of equality.

The Symbolism of Jeeps and the Revolutionary Arrival in Havana

Before seizing power, the revolutionaries were often seen in American-made Willys MB jeeps, iconic symbols of the guerrilla struggle and the visual emblem of the Caravan that brought Fidel Castro to Havana on January 8, 1959. These jeeps, heavily used during World War II, became a staple for Cuban rebels. Fidel was frequently photographed driving these vehicles, which doubled as military propaganda tools designed to capture attention.

The American Cars of Power Post-Revolution

In the early years of the regime, top officials drove cars that were either confiscated or inherited from the previous era. Many of these were luxury models manufactured in the United States, highlighting a revolutionary paradox. Ernesto "Che" Guevara was famously photographed behind the wheel of a 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline Deluxe, accompanied by his wife. This sedan, with its streamlined design, embodied American elegance.

Camilo Cienfuegos was known for driving a green 1959 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88, featuring an elongated body and powerful engine. This vehicle is now part of a heritage collection at the Automobile Museum in Havana. Celia Sánchez, a crucial figure in the power structure, drove a sleek white 1960 Chevrolet Impala with an official license plate, reinforcing her central but not public role. These cars signified status and were regarded as "tools of the trade" for the new revolutionary power.

Shifting Alliances and the Soviet Influence

As the alliance with the Soviet Union solidified, the vehicle fleet transformed. The GAZ Volga M21 became the quintessential official car, supplemented by Moskvitch, Lada, and other models assigned hierarchically. Fidel Castro, known for his love of driving, was captured in photographs with various cars, including an iconic image of him sitting atop an Alfa Romeo. In rural areas, he preferred to be seen in UAZ jeeps to enhance his military commander image, while in the capital, he often traveled in armored Soviet ZIL limousines.

German Luxury Cars: Privilege at the Summit

Decades later, the automotive scene shifted towards the use of luxury German vehicles, such as Mercedes Benz and BMW. Raúl Castro, known for his affinity for powerful and expensive cars, traveled in BMW X5 models, presumably armored, during his presidency. His fleet consisted of at least three cars. Commander Ramiro Valdés was photographed in Havana stepping out of a Mercedes-Benz E-Class after a traffic accident.

Fidel Castro's controversial grandson, Sandro Castro, is also a fan of Mercedes Benz. He stirred a media scandal with a video boasting about driving on the National Highway. "You know we're simple, but sometimes we have to take these little toys out for a spin," he remarked while speeding down the road.

Miguel Díaz-Canel's Choice: BMW or Mercedes Benz?

Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel uses fleets of Mercedes Benz and BMW for transportation, with estimates suggesting these too are armored models. Unlike Raúl and Fidel Castro, who typically traveled in groups of three fast-moving cars, Díaz-Canel's convoy during a visit to Eastern Cuba comprised up to seven vehicles.

Elite Autos vs. The People's Struggle

Throughout the history of the regime, the cars driven by its leaders have been more than mere transportation—they are symbols of power, hierarchy, and disconnect from the populace. While millions of Cubans struggle to catch a bus or must rely on bicycles, the leaders ride in state-owned vehicles. These were mostly Russian cars in the past, but today, the regime's fleet is diverse, including Chinese, Russian, German, and even some surprisingly imported American cars as part of the state automotive inventory.