AGP Executive Report

Cuban Schools Under Strain: Cuba’s new school year opened amid shortages and rolling blackouts, with families reporting days without electricity, missing materials and even uncertainty over teacher assignments in places like Matanzas. Energy Crisis & State Blame: Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla defended the regime’s line that an “energy blockade” and U.S. secondary sanctions drive the power collapse, while critics point to long-running mismanagement and import dependence. Digital Government Push: Cuba is upgrading its Soberanía digital platform with UNDP and China support, expanding online services and digital IDs—but adoption remains below expectations as electricity and connectivity problems persist. Sanctions Hit Cuban Businesses Abroad: A Belfast Cuban sandwich shop said it was forced to suspend deliveries after Deliveroo payments were delayed for months due to sanctions and banking pressure—then reported a breakthrough after public attention. Property Lawsuit in U.S. Courts: A Miami jury ruled against Cuban-Americans suing Expedia over confiscated-property bookings, saying plaintiffs failed to prove ownership. ICE Deportation Controversy: Reports describe Cubans and other Latin Americans being sent to African countries they say they don’t know, raising questions about deportation practices and due process. Public Safety & Local Incidents: A major fire in Santiago de Cuba damaged multiple homes, while a separate case in Guantánamo involved a fatal tricycle attack tied to a fare dispute.

Cuba’s Private-Sector Shake-Up: Cuba has approved a new decree-law that removes the 100-worker cap for private firms, expands micro/small/medium enterprise rules, and lets Cubans abroad become partners—while keeping state oversight and requiring ministry authorization for imports/exports. U.S.-Cuba Energy & Politics: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Cuba’s blackouts stem from a failing system and the end of subsidized Venezuelan oil, not U.S. sanctions, and argues normalization can’t fully happen without democracy. Raúl Castro Health Rumors: Reports say former leader Raúl Castro is in critical condition after a stroke, with Cuban authorities still silent. Cuba’s State Business Rules: Cuba’s state-business regulator issued new profit-distribution rules for state enterprises and business groups, including quarterly profit advances for workers starting in 2027. Foreign Pressure & Security Claims: Cuba’s deputy foreign minister accuses the U.S. of preparing military aggression and targets journalists amid heightened Southern Command activity in the Caribbean. Legal/Commercial Friction: A Russian firm sued Cubana de Aviación for about $6.2M and seeks asset seizure. Education for Non-State Actors: MINED updated rules for non-state economic actors in education, covering tutoring and other services. Humanitarian/Community Notes: A Barcelona protest backed “Free Cubans” during Silvio Rodríguez’s concert tour.

Cuba’s School Year Under Strain: Cuba reopened schools for about 1.4 million students, but the start is marred by fuel, water, and electricity shortages, a teacher shortfall, and even cases where children were sent home because childcare centers lacked basic conditions. Energy Crisis & Protest in Havana: In Vedado, residents blocked Avenida 26 after more than 40 hours without power, escalating the cycle of blackout-linked cacerolazos and police crackdowns. Tourism Collapse: Cuba’s tourism fell 62% in the first seven months of 2026 as U.S. pressure and an energy embargo bite, with ONEI reporting roughly 420,000 foreign visitors versus 1.1 million a year earlier. Venezuela Oil Deal’s Ripple Effects: Venezuela’s National Assembly approved a U.S.-backed agreement giving Washington control over about one-fifth of reserves and preferential access to 17 fields, with U.S. officials defending it as price relief and a counter to Russia/China—while critics question the “fine print.” Property Legalization Extended: Cuba extended by a year the process to legalize homes built without authorization, citing energy disruptions that slowed citizens’ ability to complete paperwork.

Cuba’s Tourism Collapse: ONEI reports a 62% drop in visitors from January to July 2026 (419,000 vs. 1.1 million in 2025), blaming intensified U.S. pressure, an energy embargo, and sanctions that pushed major hotel chains to suspend contracts. School Year Under Strain: Cuba’s 1.4 million students returned to classrooms amid fuel shortages, a 27% teacher gap, missing uniforms, and blackouts—families report improvising transport as buses stop running. Power System Crackdown: Cuba’s Attorney General says it will strictly prosecute sabotage against the National Electric System, citing hundreds of cases tied to transformer oil theft and warning of severe penalties. Raúl Castro Health Rumors: Reports say the former president is gravely ill after a stroke, with no official confirmation—raising questions about succession stability. U.S.-Cuba Tensions in Focus: Cuba’s UN ambassador challenges U.S. sanctions while urging investment and private reforms, arguing Washington blocks the very changes it demands. Venezuela Oil Deal Fallout: U.S. officials defend the Trump-Venezuela agreement as price-lowering and anti-Russia/China, while critics warn it deepens U.S. leverage in the region. Diplomacy Signal: Cuba’s ambassador to the Holy See highlights long-running ties and calls out U.S. unilateral measures and threats of aggression.

Cuba-U.S. Diplomacy & Humanitarian Aid: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Washington with the U.S. diplomat in Havana, Mike Hammer, to review Cuba’s crisis and the delivery of $100 million in humanitarian aid routed through Caritas and other “trusted” groups, amid fresh tensions tied to Venezuela’s fallout and Cuba’s energy dependence. Electricity & Daily Life: In Las Tunas, Cubans mocked official school-year messages as blackouts and power deficits persist, with residents reporting outages lasting days and weeks. School-Year Strain: Cuba’s education system is leaning on local fixes: Camagüey is pushing private “sponsorships” for repairs and maintenance, while the Bahamas won’t renew contracts for 31 Cuban teachers under U.S. pressure over labor practices. Sanctions, Trade, and Money Flows: Swiss firms say bank transfers and collections are collapsing under U.S. sanctions risk, shrinking Cuba-Switzerland trade to a trickle. U.S. “Third Country” Deportations: New reporting says ICE expanded deportation flights to Africa, including Cubans, leaving detainees without passports and with unclear next steps. Cuba’s Food Crisis: A BBC analysis points to both sanctions and internal failures, showing steep drops in pork, rice, beans, and milk production and heavy reliance on imported food. Humanitarian Aid Politics: A prominent Cuban-American group urges broad humanitarian exemptions from U.S. sanctions—especially for fuel—while pressing Havana to remove barriers that block aid from reaching people.

Cuba’s Private Sector Expansion: Cuba authorized private retail and restaurant chains to register one brand and open multiple locations nationwide, part of a broader 176-measure economic reform push aimed at shortages and bureaucracy. Economic & Social Strain: Cuba’s population decline remains stark, with ONEI reporting 2025 ended at 9.43 million—down 313,414 in a year—alongside an aging population profile. Power System Security: Cuba’s Prosecutor’s Office warned that stealing dielectric oil from transformers is being treated as sabotage, with penalties up to death, as investigations into electrical-system crimes surge. Foreign Policy & Diplomacy: Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez condemned Israel’s attacks on Lebanon and cited use of white phosphorus, while Cuba also engaged in Non-Aligned Movement-related diplomacy with Serbia. U.S.-Cuba Legal Fight: A Miami federal jury returned a defense verdict for Expedia in a Cuban property trafficking case under Helms-Burton, after plaintiffs failed to prove ownership of the disputed properties. Humanitarian Cross-Border Pressure: A new report highlights how U.S. “mass deportations” are reshaping Mexico’s border crisis, with many deportees—including Cubans—now arriving after long U.S. stays. Guantánamo Legal Update: A military judge barred alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed’s FBI-linked confessions, citing coercion and torture concerns.

Cuban Consular Crisis: Dozens of Cubans in Serbia say a computer failure at the Belgrade consulate left passport applications unprocessed for months, threatening their legal status and work permits. Economic Rule-Making: Decree 167, published in Cuba’s Official Gazette, authorizes “light food service networks” of recognized brands—opening the door for major chains while keeping centralized “social interest” controls. Health Aid Logistics: UNICEF says it flew 213,000 prenatal supplement bottles to Havana after sea shipment was impossible, aiming to cover 30,430 pregnant and breastfeeding women. Tourism and Travel Pressure: Air Europa is keeping and expanding its Havana flights despite Cuba’s fuel and tourism slump, while Russia signals it may resume regular flights only once aviation kerosene supply stabilizes. Water and Rights Under Strain: A Havana mother was detained after reporting a local official over water denials, underscoring how water access and local power collide. International Spotlight: Cuba’s Jhoanna Uranga won Miss Teen International 2026 in Jaipur. Humanitarian/People on the Move: Reports also highlight Cubans stranded abroad after passport delays, and broader deportation pressure affecting migrants.

Cuban Tourism Collapse: Cuba’s hotel sector is in freefall, with 73% of facilities closed and seven major international chains reportedly gone, leaving about 25,000 workers “available” as the government points to U.S. pressure and sanctions. Energy & Public Services Crisis: Havana’s digital push is colliding with reality—Díaz-Canel touts online procedures while outages, slow internet, and telecom breakdowns keep many services out of reach; meanwhile, comedians and residents keep spotlighting the lived toll of hours without power and weeks without water. Economic Reforms Under Pressure: Cuba is moving to loosen controls on domestic trade, letting private firms trade directly with foreign businesses and expand real-estate and hiring flexibility, framed as a lasting shift rather than “window dressing.” Governance & Social Tensions: Plaza de la Revolución launches “I Am the Teacher” to plug staffing gaps as blackouts disrupt classrooms; Camagüey residents also question official crime figures and complain enforcement is uneven. International & Security Claims: Havana denies U.S. accusations about Chinese intelligence facilities, while U.S. deportation policy expands with “third country” removals that include Cubans. Human Stories: A Cuban doctor’s weekend coverage sparks a petition from Mexican rural communities; and an Italian former deputy remains hospitalized in Cuba, delaying repatriation.

Cuba’s Economic Opening: Cuba is set to loosen controls on its communist economy, moving toward direct private trade with foreign firms, easier hiring for foreign investors, and expanded real-estate development—reforms expected to start as early as this week, framed by officials as a lasting shift amid U.S. pressure. Havana Energy & Protest Pressure: Residents in El Fanguito (Plaza de la Revolución) protested again as blackouts and daily shortages deepen frustration, with police heavily deployed. Food Prices Bite: The price of MDM chicken picadillo jumped sharply, tied to the broader unraveling of price caps and market chaos—another hit to low-income households. U.S.-Cuba Humanitarian Messaging: A community event in Oakland, “Eyes on Cuba,” highlighted intensified U.S. blockade impacts and humanitarian conditions, linking them to Black August solidarity and political prisoners. Regional Security Politics: U.S. Rep. Carlos Giménez renewed warnings about China’s growing Latin America footprint and reiterated hardline views on Cuba and other “repressive” regimes.

Cuba’s School Year Under Strain: With classes set to start Sept. 1, Cuba faces a teacher shortfall and energy chaos, including reports of families unable to attend after long blackouts and shortages of basics. Local Governance & Public Health: Guantánamo’s authorities are scrambling over micro and mega landfills as dengue spreads, warning dumps near schools and daycares. Energy Infrastructure Stress: A pipeline break feeding the Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas was sealed after an oil spill, underscoring how aging Soviet-era rules leave Cuba vulnerable. Domestic Trade Rules: Cuba’s official gazette updates the legal framework for domestic commerce, including changes to the Central Commercial Registry and new compliance requirements for traders. U.S.-Cuba Pressure & Activism: In Massachusetts, protesters put up “No to war against Cuba” banners, citing intensified U.S. pressure and higher confrontation risks. Digital Influence Concerns: X says it found a suspected Chinese bot farm targeting U.S. debates on AI and energy policy—an echo of how information battles spill across borders. ICE & Cuban Deportation Anxiety: A Cuban man with a prior child sexual assault conviction was arrested in Texas, while another Cuban Latin Grammy winner was detained in Miami, fueling fears of deportation. 9/11 Legal Fallout: A U.S. military judge threw out Khalid Sheikh Mohammed’s FBI confession over alleged CIA coercion, setting up further delays and uncertainty.

Cuban Education Under Strain: Cuba’s Education Minister Naima Trujillo says only 73% of teaching posts are filled and uniforms won’t cover all students, while authorities still push for a September 1 school restart amid power and supply shortages. Grid Instability in the East: Another SEN disturbance split eastern provinces from the national system, knocking out major units and triggering hours-long restoration efforts—another reminder of how fragile Cuba’s electricity network has become. Food Security Meets “Agriculture 4.0”: Díaz-Canel touts drone-and-robot “precision agriculture” at ICIMAF, but social media backlash highlights hunger fears and Cuba’s heavy food import dependence. Havana’s Sewage and Health Risks: Residents and writers report overflowing sewage and wastewater mixing with potable supplies, with streets effectively “disappearing” under stagnant, debris-filled water. Local Accountability, Slow Repairs: A Camagüey journalist says she’s been bounced between hotlines after 48 hours without electricity, with complaints still “pending.” US-Cuba Legal/Geopolitical Echo: A US military judge ruled Khalid Sheikh Mohammed’s 2007 Guantánamo confessions inadmissible, while his June 2028 trial date remains—another high-profile case tied to the base in Cuba. Cuban Business Friction: Swiss firms say they “almost never” get paid when trading with Cuba, pointing to collection problems beyond Washington. Informal Market Pressure: The dollar and euro rose in Cuba’s informal market, underscoring ongoing currency scarcity and daily cost pressures.

Cuba’s Defense Posture: Cienfuegos marked National Defense Day with territorial-force drills and activated reservist alert schedules, framing the exercise as preparation for possible external aggression. Healthcare Supply Relief: UNICEF delivered 213,000 prenatal supplement bottles to Cuba via air logistics through Panama-Havana, targeting pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers amid medicine and supply shortages. Education Under Strain: Cuba’s school year starts Sept. 1 with flexibility on attendance, schedules, and uniforms, as MINED cites teacher and operational adjustments for about 1.4 million students. Energy Crisis Update: Cuba’s National Electric System saw eastern provinces disconnected after transmission fluctuations, with outages disrupting hospitals and pumping systems and blamed on the U.S. blockade’s impact on fuel and grid components. Local Social Support: A Santa Clara bakery project (“Pan pa’ti”) is expanding monthly free food packages and daily bread for vulnerable families, including elderly residents living alone. Cuban Economy Rules: MINCIN issued a new retail establishment typology, grouping businesses by quality and comfort into three levels and defining seven activity types. Immigration Legal Fight (U.S.-Ecuador): Attorney Willy Allen III argues the Ecuador deportation agreement’s title may limit its scope to Central America, potentially opening a legal path for Cubans. Guantánamo Cultural Life: Guantánamo launched Rumba Route Timbalaye 2026 with events tied to Cimarronaje and “Living Cultural Heritage” recognition for local artists.

Havana Water Crisis: President Díaz-Canel toured the Paso Seco supply source in Boyeros as a major pipe break left multiple Havana municipalities without water, with residents turning to buckets, water trucks, rain capture, and manual pumps while authorities move generators to keep pumping. School Year Under Strain: Cuba says the school year will start on schedule despite electricity and transport disruptions, teacher shortages, and uniform supply problems, with Education Minister Naima Trujillo citing about 1.4 million students returning and promising flexibility for attendance. U.S. Medicine Restrictions: Cuba denounced renewed U.S. limits on access to medicines, medical supplies, and biopharma raw materials, pointing to the 2C12 cancer treatment as an example of scientific progress blocked by sanctions. Food Production Propaganda: Cuban state TV highlighted a young UJC leader in Guantánamo tending a family plot, underscoring the gap between official “self-sufficiency” messaging and reported food access pressures. ICE Pressure on Cuban Families: In Florida, ICE detained Latin Grammy-winning Cuban-born musician Degnis Bofill Miranda after a Miami arrival, while another Cuban deportation case saw a long-delayed removal order finally executed. Solar Energy Loss: Cuban solar pioneer Luis Bérriz Pérez, founder of Cubasolar, died, a reminder of how energy innovation is being tested by the island’s ongoing crisis.

Cuban Tourism Under Sanctions Pressure: Major hotel chains are pulling out of Cuba, with Meliá, Iberostar and Barceló citing intensified U.S. extraterritorial financial sanctions and secondary-sanctions threats tied to GAESA, leaving the sector facing its worst crisis in decades. U.S. Immigration Crackdown Hits Cubans: Border Patrol arrested a Cuban man in Texas previously convicted of child sexual assault; separately, ICE actions continue to detain and deport people tied to Cuba-related cases in the U.S. Visa Policy Fight: A U.S. federal court struck down a State Department immigrant visa ban affecting nationals of 75 countries, including Cuba, after challenges to the policy’s generalized public-charge basis. Cuba Denounces “Suffocation”: Cuba’s UN envoy and officials denounced the U.S. “policy of suffocation” and extraterritorial blockade as collective punishment. School Year Despite Shortages: Cuba plans to start the school year on Sept. 1 with about 1.5 million students, despite transport, electricity, and supply gaps. Regional Political-Media Network Allegations: Cuba’s foreign minister warned of a transnational right-wing political-media influence network centered in the U.S., tied to Latin American campaign coordination. Guantánamo Court Dates: A U.S. military judge set the 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed’s trial for June 5, 2028, keeping the case in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

Guantánamo Trial Timeline: A U.S. military judge set June 5, 2028 for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and three co-defendants to face trial at Guantánamo Bay, rejecting a January 2027 start and citing the need to settle pretrial disputes over what can be used in court. Cuba’s School-Year Messaging vs. Reality: Miguel Díaz-Canel pushed back on “collapse” talk as classes resume Sept. 1, but reporting highlights major teacher shortages and regional gaps, with officials framing the reopening as a political defense of revolutionary gains. Cuba Sanctions & Mining Pressure: Antilles Gold’s Cuban copper-gold project is caught in U.S. sanctions fallout, with the company seeking a U.S.-based investor to unlock a path forward for its joint venture. Violence and Data Transparency: Cubalex says July brought 37 homicides (including nine femicides) and urges Havana to publish complete, reliable violence statistics and guarantee independent investigations. Diplomacy & Water Finance: A Global Ambassadors’ Forum for Water and Economic Diplomacy drew nearly 30 countries, including Cuba, focusing on closing a major water investment gap through “water diplomacy.” Regional Drought Watch: Honduras expanded drought emergency alerts tied to El Niño, with water rationing tightening around Tegucigalpa—an indirect reminder of climate stress across the region.

9/11 Justice Delayed Again: A U.S. military judge set Khalid Sheikh Mohammed’s trial for June 5, 2028 at Guantánamo Bay, rejecting an earlier January 2027 start—another long pause in the decades-long case. Cuba-US Sanctions Clash: Cuba’s foreign minister Bruno Rodríguez called Trump’s latest extension of the U.S. blockade “genocidal,” as the decree renews the embargo through Sept. 14, 2027 amid Havana’s shortages and blackouts. EU Funding Fight: The Assembly of the Cuban Resistance urged the EU to stop financing the Castro regime and redirect money to Ukraine. Havana Municipal Reality Check: A Havana garbage-collection project in El Vedado using electric tricycles was declared a failure after promised vehicles and charging infrastructure didn’t arrive. Private Sector Pressure: Díaz-Canel met Cuba’s private sector to push “systematic dialogue,” while warning that business can’t become a space for “illegalities.” Human Rights Watch: Amnesty International renewed its demand for the release of Cuban political prisoner Roberto Pérez Fonseca, citing worsening health in prison.