AGP Executive Report

Cuba-U.S. Energy Clash: Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez denounced new U.S. restrictions on fuel imports for Cuba’s power generation, saying the blockade blocks generators’ fuel and even complicates solar and battery purchases, while Cuba plans a UN General Assembly report on the damage. Water Crisis, Havana: President Miguel Díaz-Canel inspected the “El Gato” water system in Mayabeque, outlining leak fixes, pumping upgrades, and a two-phase plan that includes shifting toward renewable energy to prevent blackouts from derailing service. Trump Map Fallout: Díaz-Canel vowed Cuba would never be a colony again after Trump’s Truth Social map depicted Cuba under the U.S. flag; Rodríguez mocked the U.S. for allegedly confusing even its own citizens. Cuba in Diplomatic/Trade Moves: Kuwait and Cuba began talks on a double taxation agreement, aiming to align the deal with both countries’ laws and strengthen trade ties. Regional Security Focus: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio kicked off a Latin America tour to deepen security cooperation with Colombia and others, explicitly linking the agenda to migration, drugs, and pressure on Communist-led Cuba. Human Rights Pressure Point: Reports from Equatorial Guinea describe police pulling guns on migrants deported from the U.S., raising fresh concerns about medical care, legal access, and psychological distress for people sent under third-country arrangements.

Cuba–U.S. Pressure & Sovereignty: President Miguel Díaz-Canel doubled down on defiance, saying Cuba “will never again be a colony” and will defend sovereignty “to the last consequences,” as Washington’s rhetoric and sanctions intensify. U.S. Sanctions Impact: Cuba’s foreign minister Bruno Rodríguez called the blockade “collective punishment,” arguing it targets daily life—fuel limits keep blackouts going and worsen shortages. Cuba’s Military-Economic Model: A Miami event at Florida International University will spotlight GAESA’s reach, with new research claiming it controls a large share of the economy and operates beyond public oversight. Political Prisoners & Activism: Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara met senior U.S. officials to press the case for political prisoners and denounce repression; the State Department again demanded releases. Human Rights & Justice: An independent Cuban gender observatory reported the beating death of 17-year-old Camila González by her 29-year-old partner, citing institutional failures in protection of minors. Cuban Intelligence Case: A Miami Herald investigation says Fernando Valdés infiltrated Miami exile circles for years and became a trusted figure to Luis Posada Carriles. Regional U.S. Push: Secretary of State Marco Rubio began a Latin America tour in Colombia, pitching security cooperation against drug trafficking and aiming to lock in trade deals with aligned governments. Migration Safety Abroad: Reuters reported Equatorial Guinea police pulled guns on U.S.-deported migrants, raising alarms about treatment and legal access.

Cuba-U.S. Sanctions: Cuba’s foreign minister Bruno Rodríguez says Washington’s stepped-up embargo caused record losses of $8.083 billion from March 2025 to February 2026, calling it “collective punishment” tied to Cuba’s power and healthcare breakdowns. Cuba-U.S. Diplomacy: Cuba also insists there are no ongoing talks with the United States and no agenda for future negotiations, even as the UN General Assembly prepares to debate the island’s embargo demand. Energy & Daily Life: With electricity often limited to a few hours a day, Cubans are adapting fast—homemade phone signal antennas, coal cooking, and solar-backed services—while tourism arrivals reportedly plunge. Human Rights & Justice: A Cuban legal expert warns that femicide statistics reflect delays in judicial processes, not the true pace of violence, as another case raises the year’s documented total. Security & Rumors: New reporting highlights how rumors around Raúl Castro’s health spread amid official silence, while Guantánamo continues to sit at the center of long-stalled 9/11-related proceedings. Regional Politics (BRICS): India’s BRICS chairship ramps up for the Sept. 12-13 summit in New Delhi, with leaders including Putin and Xi expected, as the bloc leans into resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability. U.S. Domestic Politics (DSA): A former DSA insider warns that far-left politics are importing extremist-style sectarianism into U.S. campaigns, targeting Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. Latin America (U.S. Influence): U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio begins a tour to back right-leaning governments in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru after recent election wins.

Cuba-U.S. Talks Freeze: Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said Havana is not negotiating with Washington and has “no agenda” for future talks, while insisting Cuba will keep “contacts” despite a “genocidal” blockade. Blockade Cost Update: Cuba’s latest damage report pegs losses at about $8.1B for March 2025–Feb 2026 (up 7%), warning the energy squeeze could worsen in early 2026; cumulative damages now exceed $178.7B. Humanitarian Pressure: A new human-rights survey says 94% of Cubans live in extreme poverty and 8 in 10 skipped meals, with power outages and food shortages topping urgent concerns. Health Worker Migration: Cuban medical staff lined up at the Ministry of Health to register for electronic IDs after Guyana ended bilateral cooperation, allowing independent applications to work in Guyana’s system. Domestic Hardship Signals: The government’s blockade/energy framing is paired with reports of daily-life disruption—rolling blackouts, spoiled food, and education and connectivity strain. International Echoes: Separately, Trump’s latest “U.S. flag” map provoked backlash, including imagery that places Cuba under U.S. sovereignty.

Raúl Castro Returns to TV: Former Cuban president Raúl Castro, 95, reappeared on state television after weeks out of public view, shown in uniform congratulating a unit tied to protecting Cuba’s leadership—amid intensifying economic strain and U.S. pressure. Power Crisis and the “Luxury Divide”: A new report paints a widening gap: some Havana businesses light up with solar during blackouts while most residents face prolonged cuts, shortages, and daily work under darkness. SANDU Demands Cuba Probe: South Africa’s defense union SANDU called for an immediate independent inquiry into allegations that SANDF officers in Cuba were pressured to make “voluntary” cash contributions from their allowances to help Cubans. Independent Voices Under Pressure: Cuban poet Juan Carlos García Guridi urged justice for journalist José Gabriel Barrenechea after Cuba’s top court upheld his six-year sentence, following arrests tied to an electricity protest. Havana Water/Comms Outage Anger: A writer in Diez de Octubre described more than a week without water, near-minimal electricity, and near-total communication breakdown with relatives abroad. Market Signals: Informal currency trading closed with the dollar steady and the euro slightly weaker, reflecting ongoing structural shortages.

Raúl Castro’s Public Return: Raúl Castro, 95, reappeared at a Havana military ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of the Personal Security Directorate (MININT), alongside Díaz-Canel; state TV aired him clapping and reading a letter via the Interior Minister, undercutting fresh health rumors and keeping attention on the regime’s security apparatus. MININT & Succession Signals: A Cuban jurist argues the event also served to elevate Castro’s grandson, “el Cangrejo,” suggesting tighter control over how much the elder speaks publicly while the next security figure gains prominence. Havana Blackouts Spark Protest: In Fontanar, residents staged cacerolazos and blocked a major avenue over power cuts lasting 20+ hours and broader living conditions; police moved in with patrol cars and arrests reported. Improvised Water Logistics: With water and power failures worsening, Havana residents are adapting old trucks into improvised water tankers, highlighting the capital’s supply breakdown. Gender Violence Update: The Alas Tensas Gender Observatory confirmed two more femicides, pushing 2026 to 50 cases—one above the prior year total. U.S.-Cuba Migration & Sanctions Pressure: Coverage also points to intensified U.S. sanctions and a new “third-country” deportation arrangement involving Cuba and Afghanistan, with Guyana receiving a small vetted group via IOM. Personal Security & U.S. Legal Fallout: Separate reporting alleges false information in a U.S. visa/residency process tied to Alejandro Castro Espín’s family circle, raising potential federal exposure.

Raúl Castro’s Return to Public View: Cuba’s former leader reappeared alongside Díaz-Canel at a MININT Personal Security Directorate ceremony marking 65 years, after weeks of rumors about his health, underscoring how tightly the regime manages succession optics. Defense vs. Daily Life: Díaz-Canel led National Defense Day in Havana while residents mocked the contradiction of mobilized resources amid chronic power cuts, with online backlash focused on “electricity for that.” Water and Power Strain in Havana: Residents in Diez de Octubre protested a planned water connection to a military facility as they still rely on water trucks; separately, the PCC in Pinar del Río admitted recurring water complaints tied to equipment and electricity shortages. Public Health Warning: The U.S. embassy issued a health alert citing rising diarrheal illness linked to Cuba’s failing water and electricity infrastructure, warning about food storage and temperature control. Solid Waste Push, Limits Admitted: Havana received Chinese-funded trucks and containers for waste collection, but officials conceded it won’t be a “definitive solution,” with production slowed by energy contingencies. Repression Through Courts: A father and son received forced-labor sentences for “propaganda against the constitutional order,” with the son’s conviction tied to alleged failure to report. U.S.-Linked Migration Fallout: Guyana began receiving vetted third-country deportees from the U.S., including Cubans, under a temporary IOM-assisted arrangement.

U.S.-Cuba Political Pressure: A Florida Democratic candidate is calling for Díaz-Canel to be charged and arrested, tying the push to U.S. DOJ cases over Brothers to the Rescue and arguing accountability won’t automatically free Cuba. Water Crisis in Havana: Díaz-Canel set a late-September deadline to show results in “two or three” Havana supply systems, with October consolidation and renewable-energy-backed solutions by year’s end—an unusually concrete test after years of broken schedules. Energy & State Media Reality Check: A pro-government Matanzas reporter celebrated the Antonio Guiteras plant staying online for 30 days, while critics point to frequent outages and long-delayed maintenance. Migration & “Third-Country” Deportations: Guyana received the first group of vetted Cuban and Afghan deportees from the U.S. under a temporary one-year framework, with IOM handling assisted voluntary return and Guyana retaining discretion. Human Rights & Repression Narratives: A Cuban activist says a 10th-grade Political Culture textbook labels July 11, 2021 protests as “fake news,” using “bulo” and “FAKE NEWS” framing to justify repression. Social Strain & Daily Life: Las Tunas restricted garage sales to weekends while fees are still pending; and in Granma, officials report “joy in the schools” despite fuel shortages disrupting supplies. Youth Exodus Mood: A viral sketch captures young Cubans’ dilemma—emigrate or face violence—backed by ONEI data showing heavy net migration of people under 35.

US-Cuba Sanctions Escalate: Washington added Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis, Banco Exterior de Cuba, and key oil and mining firms (including ABAPET) to sanctions, aiming to cripple power-grid maintenance as blackouts worsen; Cuban FM Bruno Rodríguez called it “collective punishment.” Energy Crisis, Humanitarian Fallout: A US embassy health alert warned of rising diarrheal illness tied to failing water and electricity, while Cuban officials say the blockade and fuel shortages are driving the breakdown. Cuban State Media Under Pressure: The PCC appointed a new director at Santiago de Cuba’s Sierra Maestra amid a wider crisis in state-run media output. Foreign Policy and Culture Diplomacy: Díaz-Canel praised UNESCO’s Africa and foreign relations deputy visit as Cuba defended education and culture amid the “blockade” and energy blockade. ICE and Cuban Detainees: A judge authorized force-feeding a Cuban hunger striker in a Texas ICE facility, renewing alarms over detainee mistreatment. Repression at Home: Independent journalist Yunia Figueredo reported State Security pressure tied to her daughter’s university enrollment, including monthly police reporting requirements. Everyday Survival Stories: Camagüey residents shared anger over price hikes and a viral case of two girls selling sweets to feed their mother as shortages bite.

Cuba Economic Opening: Cuba authorized private travel agencies and eased rules for tourist transportation, signaling further non-state participation in tourism and services. Foreign Investment Rules: The Council of Ministers published updated regulations for foreign investment approvals and oversight, laying out procedures, timelines, and the evaluation commission under MINCEX. Energy Crisis & Infrastructure: Cuba inspected construction of a 50-megawatt battery energy storage park in Cueto to stabilize the grid and support solar expansion, as the country continues to face severe power constraints. U.S. Pressure on Cuba’s Elites: Multiple reports describe new U.S. sanctions targeting Cuba’s ruling circle, including Raúl Castro’s grandson and related entities, amid claims Cuba is facing a “war without bombs.” Havana’s Humanitarian Push: The Cuba Vive Appeal says it raised £555,000 in Britain to ship medical supplies and emergency aid to Cuba, tying the need directly to the U.S. blockade. Security & Enforcement in Florida: ICE arrested and deported a Cuban man identified as a spy for the Cuban regime in Miami, while separate cases involving Cuban detainees and alleged abuse at an Everglades detention site remain pending.

US Sanctions Escalation: The Trump administration hit Cuba again with new sanctions targeting Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis (Raúl Castro’s grandson) and key state-linked firms, including Banco Exterior de Cuba and Abapet, an oil-supply company tied to keeping the power grid running—moves Washington says are meant to “tighten the screws” as blackouts and fuel shortages worsen. Energy Crisis Pressure: Sanctions are explicitly framed as a way to disrupt maintenance and spare parts for Cuba’s aging electricity system, with analysts warning Cuba will try to “get creative,” raising costs and inflation. Diplomatic Backlash: Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez condemned the measures as “collective punishment” and accused Marco Rubio of lying, while Washington doubled down on claims that regime elites enrich themselves as ordinary Cubans suffer. Education Under Strain: Despite prolonged outages and shortages, Miguel Díaz-Canel defended the start of the 2026–2027 university year as “the most revolutionary thing,” even as universities shift to hybrid formats and teachers face deteriorating conditions. Human Impact, Not Just Policy: A mother’s account of the school-year scramble—uniforms, eggs, and last-minute basics—captures how the crisis lands at home, not in press releases. Immigration Courts in the US: A Cuban asylum case saw a judge approve bail for Félix Abreu Medina after months in ICE custody, while other reports highlight the broader strain of US detention and deportation practices affecting Cubans.

US Sanctions Tighten on Castro Family: The Trump administration imposed new sanctions on Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis, grandson of Raúl Castro, plus Banco Exterior de Cuba and four state-linked firms tied to Cuba’s energy and nickel sectors, with Marco Rubio accusing the regime’s elite of enriching themselves while Cubans face shortages. Electricity Inequality in Havana: Cuban baritone Ulises Aquino Guerra says his Kholy neighborhood got only 55 minutes of power over six days—and just 4.5 minutes on Thursday—sparking fresh anger over uneven blackouts inside the same municipality. Cuba Pushes Market Rules Under Pressure: Cuba published new regulations to attract foreign investment, trade, and tourism, promising “simplifying processes” and fewer barriers as the island endures sanctions, blackouts, and a worsening crisis. Non-State Sector Gets More Room: Havana also advanced new rules for non-state economic actors, aiming to reduce red tape and allow private enterprises to hire larger workforces at the municipal level. Humanitarian Aid Still Finds Routes: A Cuban chapter in El Salvador delivered 250 pounds of medicines and surgical supplies to a local polyclinic, citing embargo-driven shortages. Immigration and Deportations Spill Over: ICE deported a Kendall man accused of long-running Cuban intelligence ties after fraudulently obtaining US residency, underscoring Washington’s broader pressure campaign.

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.