AGP Executive Report

Power & Infrastructure: A power outage hit eastern Cuba, affecting provinces from Holguín to Guantánamo, blamed on transmission-line fluctuations and disconnections of generating units. Education Under Strain: Cuba plans to start the school year on September 1 despite shortages and transport/electricity problems; officials say about 1.5 million children and adolescents will return, with teachers already being reinstated and schools using flexible, individualized support. U.S. Pressure on Tourism: Cuba’s tourism sector is facing its worst crisis in decades as major hotel chains exit or liquidate operations, citing intensified U.S. extraterritorial sanctions and secondary-sanctions risk tied to GAESA. Diplomatic Pushback: Cuba’s UN envoy denounced the U.S. “policy of suffocation,” saying sanctions are collective punishment and violate international law. Human Stories: A Cuban cruise worker says she was barred from returning home for five years after remaining abroad, while a separate report says a Cuban national previously convicted of child sexual assault was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol. Sports (Cuba in focus): The Philippines’ women’s baseball run ended after losses to Chinese Taipei and Venezuela, but they had earlier beaten Cuba.

Cuba Health & Science: Cuban researchers say their home-grown cancer drug 2C12 is ready to move into human clinical testing for advanced melanoma, with early studies planned at Havana and Villa Clara oncology centers. Cuba Crime & Rights: Cubalex reports 37 homicides in July—its highest monthly figure in four years—plus nine femicides, urging Cuba to publish complete violence statistics and allow independent investigations. Cuba Economy & Daily Life: A report on Cuba’s informal market shows the dollar and euro moving differently at day’s end, highlighting how currency swings keep shaping what people can buy. Cuba Politics & U.S. Pressure: Multiple items this week focus on Cuba rejecting the latest U.S. blockade extension and warning that Washington’s sanctions keep suffocating the economy. Sports (Cuba in the mix): The Philippines beat Cuba 6-0 in the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup, then followed with a 6-2 win over Great Britain as Group B standings tighten.

U.S.-Cuba Sanctions: Cuba’s foreign minister Bruno Rodríguez called Trump’s latest extension of the U.S. blockade “genocidal,” after a new decree kept the embargo in force until Sept. 14, 2027, amid blackouts and shortages on the island. Human Rights in Focus: Amnesty International delivered more than 27,000 solidarity letters to Cuban artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara in Miami, saying the messages reached him behind bars and renewed calls for his freedom and safe return. Havana Daily Life: A Havana garbage-collection project in El Vedado that relied on electric tricycles has been declared a failure, with organizers citing missing vehicles and an unbuilt charging station. Economy & Prices: In Guáimaro, inspectors reported invoice falsification, altered prices, and tax evasion in private businesses, plus refusals to accept online payments despite Central Bank rules. Education Under Strain: Cuba is heading into the Sept. 1 school year with families struggling to find supplies and cope with power outages, while universities face transport and housing problems. Sports: Filipina women’s baseball made history by beating Cuba 6-0 in the WBSC World Cup.

U.S. embargo extended again: Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez called the Trump administration’s renewal of the Trading With the Enemy Act “a genocidal policy,” saying Washington is trying to suffocate the island as shortages deepen. Energy and daily life: A report highlights how Cuban healthcare workers sent abroad are tightly restricted, while another story says dielectric oil thefts are spreading across Cuba and leaving communities without power. Havana under strain, with outside help: China’s ambassador to Cuba posted about Chinese electric tricycles used for trash collection in Havana, underscoring how the capital leans on foreign support amid fuel and blackout crises. Health crisis on the ground: Medical students in Santiago de Cuba protest plans to centralize training, saying they must choose between studying and eating because transport and food costs are crushing. ICE and Miami: A Cuban man in Miami faces murder charges after ICE lodged a detainer, adding to the pressure around deportations and detention. Sports with Cuba in the mix: Philippines beat Cuba 6-0 in women’s baseball, and Cuba advanced in NORCECA volleyball to the semifinals.

U.S.-Cuba: Washington extended its decades-long trade embargo on Cuba for another year, with Cuba’s foreign ministry calling it “genocidal” and saying the move hits hardest amid power cuts and shortages. Sanctions Pressure: A separate report says the U.S. is also ramping up new sanctions targeting Cuban entities and sectors, as Havana argues Washington is blocking reforms and private investment. Cuban Society: Venezuela took part in the XXXIV Havana International Book Fair (FILHAV 2026), highlighting literature and social-science publishing under a Fidel Castro centenary theme. Culture in Cuba: Holguin’s José Martí Cultural Society will host “The Martí Hour” Sept. 4-5, linking Martí and Fidel through readings, interviews, and regional book presentations. U.S. Immigration & Cuba: DHS confirmed a Miami mother arrested after pouring hot wax on her children is a Cuban national who entered the U.S. illegally, while ICE sought to keep her detained. Florida Politics: GOP gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds named Cuban-American state Sen. Bryan Avila as his running mate for lieutenant governor.

Cuba Protests & Power Crisis: Residents in Old Havana and Jaimanitas staged fresh demonstrations over repeated blackouts and water cuts, with police intervening to clear blocked streets and witnesses saying authorities promised repairs without timelines. Cuban Daily Life Under Strain: Mothers ahead of the new school year say even basic snacks are hard to find, citing data that nearly half of primary students get no meals or snacks at school as price caps on imports were lifted. Health Emergency: Santiago de Cuba reported a food-poisoning outbreak affecting 52 people, including pregnant women and minors; officials say the likely source was identified pending lab confirmation. Surveillance & Neighborhood Control: The PCC-backed “My Neighborhood for the Homeland” push is being rolled out as a new community transformation model combining neighborhood surveillance, CDR coordination, and “productive” backyard planting. US Immigration Pressure on Cubans: A Latin Grammy-winning Cuban percussionist, Degnis Bofill, was detained by ICE in Miami after arriving from New York; his wife says he has a pending asylum case and is seeking release. US Sanctions Watch: The US extended its Cuba trade embargo for another year and hit Cuban entities with new sanctions, while Cuba’s government says the measures block efforts to open the economy.

Cuban Power Crisis & Solar Boom: With the U.S. fuel blockade and aging grids, many Cubans get barely two hours of electricity a day, and some now rely on costly solar systems—while the government scales up solar parks and hospital installations, leaving most families priced out. Human Rights in Cuba: Cubalex says 19 people died in state custody in 2026 due to medical neglect or lack of care, including deaths tied to malnutrition and alleged food conditions in prisons. Repression & Prisoners: Ángel Jesús Véliz Marcano marks his 32nd birthday in Camagüey prison, his sixth birthday behind bars, according to his family. Poverty Relief in Holguín: A donation campaign helped a mother and three children move from a cardboard home to a cement house. ICE Targets Cuban Artists: Latin Grammy percussionist Degnis Bofill was detained by ICE in Miami after returning from New York, with an asylum case pending. U.S. Sanctions & Cuba Policy: Díaz-Canel denies Cuba is near collapse, while also acknowledging a “completely complex” situation and fuel shortages. Sports: Cuba’s women’s volleyball team faces Mexico for a World Championship berth at NORCECA.

Cuban Power Crisis: Havana is described as a city drained of life—blackouts, empty streets, and people scavenging for food and scraps as night becomes dangerous and Old Havana sits nearly deserted. Water & Daily Hardship: A Matanzas poet, Lianet Fundora, won an honorable mention for a poem about a father waiting for water that never comes, capturing the island’s “everyday crosses.” FMC Anniversary Backlash: Cuba’s Women’s Federation marked 66 years with official fanfare, but social media mocked the message as Pinar del Río’s blackout reality undercuts the slogans. Economy & Currency: The informal market closed with the dollar and euro up slightly, while the MLC trend stayed cautious amid low-volume trading. Education Promises vs Reality: Cuba’s education minister says the school year will be a “celebration,” even as families report shortages and uneven preparations. Cuba-Related Sanctions Pressure: The week also brought fresh reporting on US sanctions tightening and Cuba’s claim that they block efforts to open the economy to private investment. Cigar Trade Fight: UK “smoke-free Britain” plans are sparking a diplomatic row involving Cuba, with cigar producers warning of a potential wipe-out of the sector.

Cuban Water Crisis in Havana: Aguas de La Habana says a “complex malfunction” in the Central System’s hydraulic infrastructure forced an emergency shutdown, cutting drinking water to Plaza de la Revolución, Diez de Octubre, Cerro, Centro Habana, Habana Vieja and parts of Boyeros, with no clear return date. Power Theft “Epidemic”: Holguín reports 28 thefts of dielectric oil from transformers this year, leaving thousands without electricity and pointing to slow judicial processes. False Earthquake Alert Fallout: Etecsa finally admits the Aug. 18 earthquake scare came from its own telecom tests, not Google, after earlier blame. ICE Pressure on Cubans in Miami: Videos and posts say ICE carried out a raid in Little Havana, with at least one person reportedly questioned despite having legal status. Family Separation at Sea and on Land: Two-year-old Cuban twin boys rescued in Mexico died during the crossing; separately, actress Miriam Socarrás says she hasn’t seen her son in eight years. Cash Rules Tighten in Matanzas: Bandec (Banco de Crédito y Comercio) will set cash withdrawals for private businesses case-by-case based on deposits and activity.

US-Cuba Sanctions Clash: Cuba’s UN ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán tells AP Washington keeps adding sanctions even as Havana pushes for private investment, while the US argues it’s closing “escape valves” for the Cuban economy. Cuban Courts & Detentions: In Florida, the US trial of detained Cuban pilot Luis Raúl González-Pardo over the 1996 “Brothers to the Rescue” downing is postponed to at least September. Havana Bureaucracy Under Strain: Guanabacoa’s Civil Registry shuts down for 15–21 days after a bedbug infestation. Power, Water, and Daily Survival: In Santiago de Cuba, solar streetlights installed for blackouts are stolen again; elsewhere, residents complain water and electricity schedules don’t match, leaving families without basic services. Local Crackdowns on Prices: Villa Clara authorities report forced sales and closures over abusive prices, with inspectors citing major overcharging on staples. Infrastructure Disruption: A train derailment in Camagüey reportedly stranded containers linked to Mariel shipments. Sports & Culture: Cuba’s universities plan a decentralized 2026–27 start on Sept. 1 with hybrid options amid fuel limits; and a community in Palm City, Florida plans a 400-foot Cuban sandwich for a world record.

U.S.-Cuba Sanctions & Courts: A U.S. federal judge struck down Trump’s suspension of immigrant visas for 75 countries, saying the State Department exceeded its authority; the list included Cuba and other Latin American and Caribbean nations, meaning visa processing should resume with case-by-case review. Cuban Economy & Food Prices: A photographed pork price board shows pork cuts at up to 1,400 pesos per pound, with lard at 1,900—another snapshot of how scarcity is reshaping daily life. Power & Infrastructure: Granma’s electric utility says internal workers were involved in theft of dielectric oil and components from photovoltaic sites, while linemen from Holguín are heading to Havana to help stabilize the grid. Public Health & Environment: Havana residents posted footage of Cuatro Caminos flooded with murky, stagnant water for months, and another complaint alleges garbage burning is poisoning 176 families. Politics & Defense: President Díaz-Canel inspected the Cubanacán Zone Defense Council, stressing local preparedness amid urban strain and “176 reforms.” Culture: Cuban singer Liuba María Hevia announced a Sept. 19 concert at the Ateneo de Madrid to present her album “Almas comunes.”

US-Cuba Pressure: Cuba’s UN ambassador and officials are denouncing Washington’s latest sanctions push, as the island faces deeper economic strain and more scrutiny on travel and state-linked sectors. Food Prices & Shortages: In Havana, a viral photo of “cheapest” store prices—rice, oil, chicken, eggs—sparked outrage over how unaffordable basics have become for most salaries. Water Crisis in Havana: A resident in Boyeros’ Mulgoba neighborhood says there’s been no water for weeks, with officials dodging responsibility. Matanzas Water Failure: In Los Mangos/Simpson areas, residents report an Acueducto valve left closed for eight months, despite repeated complaints and even water trucks that don’t deliver. Power & Public Anger: With blackouts and failed energy promises, Cubans keep posting frustration—plus a recent false earthquake alert blamed on ETECSA testing errors. Deportations to Africa: The US third-country deportation plan hits another snag as migrants—including Cuban men—are reportedly moved from Liberia to Equatorial Guinea after refusing to disembark. Namibia Solidarity: Namibia’s National Council donates N$27,609 to a Namibia-Cuba solidarity campaign, citing Cuba’s role in liberation and current hardship.

U.S. Sanctions Tighten on Cuba: Washington announced new penalties targeting three ICAP officials and nine Cuban state entities, including the Ministry of Construction and firms in metals, mining, trade, and labor—part of a broader “maximum pressure” push that Havana says blocks private investment. ICAP Response: Venezuelan solidarity groups condemned the move as “infamous and unjust,” while Cuban officials framed it as harassment tied to internationalism. School Year Under Strain: Cuba says the 2026-2027 academic year starts Sept. 1, but parents and students blasted the plan amid fuel shortages, long blackouts, and basic needs gaps—asking how children can learn without water, food, or sleep. Earthquake Alarm Fallout: A 3.6 quake was confirmed near Santiago de Cuba, but it came after a separate false mobile alert on Aug. 18 that triggered panic nationwide. Public Health Warning: Mayabeque health authorities warned against eating crude vegetable oil sold at the El Rodeo fair, meant for animal consumption. Camagüey Power Theft: Dielectric oil was stolen from the “La Vallita” substation, risking transformer damage and more blackouts. Human Stories at the Border: A young Cuban I-220A prisoner returned from Texas to Havana after being denied entry earlier—while another flight returned 127 Cubans from the U.S., with two referred for alleged pre-departure crimes. Local Safety Worry: Camagüey residents reported thefts from electric bike and motorcycle parking areas, including a case involving an on-duty manager.

US Sanctions Tighten on Cuba: Washington expanded penalties on nine state-linked firms in construction, mining and metals, and targeted senior ICAP officials, accusing the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples of running a “subversive network” in the US—moves that come as Americans returning from Fidel Castro’s centenary events faced questioning and detentions. Cuba Denounces the Crackdown: Cuba’s foreign minister Bruno Rodríguez called the sanctions an attempt to strangle the economy and block basic services, while anti-sanctions voices abroad—including South African priest Michael Lapsley—warn of a “genocide without bombs” driven by shortages and blackouts. Economic Fallout in Real Life: ECLAC forecasts Cuba’s economy will shrink 10.3% in 2026, underscoring how the island’s downturn is widening from the rest of Latin America. Daily Strain in Havana: In Regla, residents protested lack of water and were told to haul it in buckets; in Santiago de Cuba, theft of dielectric oil from a medical center transformer delayed urgent tests and risks broader power outages. Humanitarian Solidarity: Namibia’s National Council donated N$27,609 to the Namibia-Cuba Solidarity Campaign for medicine, supplies and solar kits.

US-Cuba Sanctions Escalation: The Trump administration added nine Cuban state firms tied to mining, metals, construction and foreign-currency supply, plus three ICAP leaders, expanding restrictions on Americans’ dealings with government-linked businesses. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused ICAP of running a “subversive network,” pointing to Castro’s centennial-linked exchanges and recent Miami-area detentions of returning Americans. Human Rights & Protest Pressure: Cubalex says Cuba saw an “unprecedented” surge in protests in the first half of 2026—766 demonstrations across 141 municipalities—fuelled by the energy, water and health crisis, with Havana as the epicenter. Diplomatic Fallout: A Cuban diplomat expelled from the Dominican Republic called the move a “badge of honor,” saying it reflects US pressure to isolate Havana. Housing Reality Check: In Camagüey, a wheelchair user says he’s waited a decade for a promised home, trapped in unsafe conditions while bureaucracy drags on. Cuba in US Sports: MLB counts a record 29 Cuban-born players appearing in 2026 games, with more likely as rosters expand.

Cuba’s energy squeeze: On Isla de la Juventud, only the hospital and the water-pumping system had reliable power while the rest of the island stayed dark after fuel shortages. False alarm panic: A nationwide “earthquake alert” sent thousands of Cubans into the streets before Civil Defense confirmed no quake occurred. Inflation pressure: Official data says July CPI rose 2.56%, with prices up 15.12% since January and 20.70% year-on-year, driven mainly by food. Sanctions and health: A new op-ed argues Trump’s “maximum pressure” is worsening Cuba’s health crisis and raising infant mortality. Diplomacy fallout: Cuba welcomed diplomats expelled by the Dominican Republic, and many Cubans mocked the regime’s “worthy diplomats” framing online. Local hardship: A Havana resident account describes weeks of food shortages and more “closed” signs as electricity and services keep failing. U.S. policy fight: OFAC clarified humanitarian trade conditions with Cuba, while another piece warns U.S. pressure is deepening health disparities.