Coca Cola, the best-selling soft drink in history, is one of the brands that has a presence in practically every part of the world. However, this soft drink cannot be bought or sold in three countries in the world: Cuba, North Korea and Russia.
Like other brands such as McDonald’s, Coca Cola is closely linked to the United States and the capitalist system. The three countries mentioned above are associated with communist regimes, or are in political conflict with the US.
Coca-Cola’s history in Cuba and North Korea
It is noteworthy that it was in Cuba where Coca Cola led one of its first commercial adventures abroad. However, after the revolution that catapulted Fidel Castro to power in 1959, the world’s largest beverage company decided to leave the country because of the risk of having the company nationalized.
Despite this, it is now possible to find this soft drink in hotels, restaurants and shopping centers focused on tourism due to the openness of recent years. In North Korea, the multinational bottling company has never operated since they produce their own version of cola, just like they do in Cuba.
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A French man reacts to trying Coca-Cola for the first time 1950s pic.twitter.com/4yZwZkGfTD
— Historic Vids (@historyinmemes) May 11, 2023
The main reason for the Coca-Cola ban
The reason is mainly ideological, which manifests itself in trade embargoes or sanctions. The North Korean dictatorship officially restricts access to this drink, although it is likely that it has crossed the country’s borders.
After the invasion of Ukraine last year, Coca-Cola decided to suspend the marketing of its star drink in Russia. The alternative drink is Dobry Cola.
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Coca-Cola cans from 1930’s. pic.twitter.com/MVkhx6Qlmi
— World Of History (@UmarBzv) May 12, 2023
Coca-Cola in China and Burma
It is also worth mentioning that the drink had previously been banned in other countries.
China expelled all foreign companies, including Coca-Cola, in 1949. After the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with the US in 1979, China allowed the return of the famous drink.
In 2012, Myanmar lifted the ban against the soft drink after a sixty-year prohibition.
