AGP Executive Report

Cuba’s School Year Under Strain: Schools reopened across the island as families face a brutal mix of fuel shortages, blackouts, and a teacher gap, with buses not running and uniforms still missing for many students. Power Crisis Update: Cuba’s electric system is starting September with major deficits forecast during peak hours, as multiple plants are out of service and distributed generation is limited by lack of fuel. Teacher Shortage Push: The education ministry admits the start is “heroic” but acknowledges the dramatic lack of teachers and supplies, with vacancies tied to low salaries and emigration. Electrical Sabotage Crackdown: Cuban courts are penalizing theft of transformer components and dielectric oil, with authorities treating it as sabotage against the national grid. U.S. Embassy Warning: The U.S. Embassy in Havana says vehicle-related thefts and pickpocketing are rising, urging extra vigilance. Diaspora Solidarity: A Miami resident’s viral donation of 150,000 pesos to a mother in Cuba highlights how families are coping when services fail. Guantánamo Book Fair: A new book fair in Guantánamo (Sept. 4–6) will spotlight Fidel Castro’s centennial and new local titles.

Humanitarian Aid Watch: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Mike Hammer on Cuba, as Washington pushes a $100 million aid plan meant to reach Cubans directly through groups like Caritas, after an initial Miami shipment already arrived. School Crisis in Cuba: With shortages of teachers, uniforms, notebooks, and even school meals, Cuba’s Education Minister admitted the new year will start under “very difficult” conditions, while Camagüey’s local officials are getting private firms to sponsor repairs and maintenance. Bahamas Cuts Cuban Teacher Contracts: The Bahamas will not renew contracts for 31 Cuban teachers, citing a shift toward hiring local educators amid ongoing U.S.-Cuba labor pressure. Aid by Sea: Spain’s Open Arms sailboat Astral returned to Havana with seven tons of humanitarian supplies, including medical goods and school materials. Electricity Theft Crackdown: Santiago de Cuba reports high rates of transformer oil theft, with authorities treating it as sabotage. Cuba Food Reality Check: A BBC analysis says Cuba’s food system has collapsed into heavy imports, with pork, rice, beans, and milk production sharply down. Diaspora Debate: A Cuban psychologist’s viral post sparks debate over whether emigrant children end up carrying parents’ burdens.

Cuba’s Economic Opening: Cuba is preparing sweeping reforms to let private firms import and export directly, allow foreign investors to hire workers without mandatory state intermediaries, and expand room for real-estate projects—moves framed as a major shift in the socialist model amid fuel shortages and new U.S. pressure. Guantánamo Reforms & Culture: In Guantánamo, officials say economic and social reforms are falling short in places like micro, small and medium businesses, while a neighborhood market launch and land-allocation delays are drawing criticism; meanwhile, Guantánamo’s puppet theater is touring Colombia, bringing Cuban performing arts to major festivals. Energy & Crime: Cuba’s courts and authorities are cracking down harder on sabotage tied to the power system, warning that attacks on electricity and water infrastructure will face severe penalties. Humanitarian Food Support: The WFP is expanding its “Act Differently!” local food project in eastern Cuba’s Rafael Freyre area, linking cooperatives with social protection institutions to strengthen nutrition and resilience. U.S. Deportations: The Trump administration expanded “third-country” deportations, sending more than 100 people—including Cubans—to African countries, according to a new report.

Cuba’s Energy Crisis Hits Daily Life: As the 2026-2027 school year nears, Cubans keep reporting brutal blackouts and water shortages, with one actor’s biting post capturing the mood: “HOURS WITHOUT LIGHT, WEEKS WITHOUT WATER.” Tourism in Free Fall: Cuba says 73% of hotels are closed and major chains have pulled back, while the government’s luxury hotel spending is being criticized as the electrical system collapses. Electricity Strain Spreads Beyond People: Animal shelters say they can’t store food or keep vaccines cold during outages, and rescuers warn that the crisis is harming pets and wildlife too. Education Under Pressure: Havana is recruiting teachers through a new “I Am the Teacher” push, while communities report shortages and families struggle to keep up with school needs amid fuel and power problems. International Links and Tensions: Russia says it will resume flights to Cuba once aviation fuel supplies normalize, and Cuba’s foreign minister reaffirmed support for the nuclear test ban treaty. Human Stories: A Cuban family says it will stop begging for a humanitarian visa for their injured son, and a lion rescued in Camagüey has been moved to better conditions. Sports & Culture: Cuba’s women’s volleyball team secured third place in the Norceca Olympic qualifier, and Leonardo Padura reflects on the crisis as a “war for survival.”

Cuba’s economic opening: Cuba is moving to loosen controls on its communist economy, letting private firms trade directly with foreign businesses, expand hiring freedom, and develop real estate—measures expected to take effect soon as part of June reforms, even as the Trump administration tightens pressure. U.S. pressure and China denied: Cuba’s foreign ministry deputy Carlos Fernández de Cossío rejected claims of Chinese intelligence facilities on the island, calling the accusations slander while Washington ramps up scrutiny. Sanctions and survival costs: A new report highlights how U.S. sanctions and blockade pressures are reshaping Cuba’s daily reality, including a sharp rise in Medicaid-linked “Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment” billing tied to Cuba in 2024. Power outages as psychological torture: Cuban comedian Ulises Toirac says blackouts aren’t just inconvenient—they break people’s sense of time and trust through repeated, unpredictable cycles. Local unrest over policing: In Manzanillo, residents posted a video after a suspected phone thief was detained but allegedly released because police “could do nothing,” sparking outrage online. Humanitarian and rights debate: A FIU panel discussed possible paths for Cuba’s transition under maximum U.S. pressure, with experts warning the most likely near-term outcome is “more of the same.”

Cuba’s Power and Water Crisis Hits Schools: With the 2026-2027 school year set to start Sept. 1, students and teachers in Cuba face a harsh reality of blackouts and shortages, as activists warn classrooms can’t function without electricity, water, food, and health services; Holguín alone says it’s short more than 2,000 teachers, while eastern provinces report outages lasting a week or more. Humanitarian Conditions Under Strain: In Contramaestre, pregnant women at a Santiago de Cuba hospital were reportedly forced to carry buckets of water up stairs due to basic service failures, adding to mounting complaints about neglected facilities. Energy Infrastructure Under Pressure: A pipeline break affecting crude supply to the Guiteras thermoelectric plant shows how fragile Cuba’s energy system remains, even as repairs require long, high-risk work. Local Anger Over Uneven Fixes: Residents in Mantilla, Camagüey accuse authorities of solving water problems only when leaders are rumored to visit, after two years without service. U.S.-Cuba Tensions in the Spotlight: In Massachusetts, activists staged banners reading “No to war against Cuba,” urging an end to intensified U.S. pressure and warning of rising confrontation risk. Cuban Economy at the Kitchen Level: Chicken picadillo prices jumped sharply, reflecting wider price chaos after Cuba removed national price caps on key goods.

Power and Water Crisis in Havana: Cuba’s blackouts are now hitting daily life through failing pumps and aging pipes, leaving nearly two million residents facing water shortages as officials scramble to recover motors and stabilize supply. Domestic Trade Overhaul: The Cuban regime published Decree 167 and a MINCIN resolution that formally allows chains of stores and restaurants nationwide and keeps dual pricing in Cuban pesos and foreign currencies, while also creating a new quality/comfort business classification. Energy Transition Push: IRENA is inviting renewable project proposals across Central America and the Caribbean, including Cuba, to speed financing for solar, wind, hydropower, clean transport, and supply-chain projects. Currency Watch: In Cuba’s informal market, the dollar rose to about 674 CUP and the euro to about 763 CUP at dawn Saturday, while MLC stayed around 467 CUP (indicative). ICE Detention of Cuban Artist: A Cuban-born Latin Grammy winner was detained at Miami airport after landing from New York, with his family fearing deportation as his asylum case remains pending. U.S. 9/11 Case Setback: A judge barred Khalid Sheikh Mohammed’s 2007 FBI confessions as not voluntary, adding another delay to the long-running trial timeline.

Cuba’s Power Crisis: Eastern Cuba was briefly cut off from the national grid again after transmission-line “oscillations,” knocking out units and forcing a partial restoration hours later—another reminder of how unstable the SEN has become. School Year Under Strain: Cuba will start classes Sept. 1 for about 1.4–1.5 million students despite blackouts, shortages, and teacher gaps, with more flexibility on attendance and schedules. Water Safety Warning: The U.S. Embassy in Havana issued a health alert citing worsening water distribution tied to the electricity crisis, warning of risks to health and cold-chain supplies. Daily-Cost Pressure: A Santiago writer says blackouts steal “hours of life,” not just electricity, while Cubans keep adapting to shortages and rising informal-market prices. Economy & Trade Friction: Swiss business groups say payments and collections are still a major problem when trading with Cuba, with fewer Swiss firms staying engaged. Healthcare Money Blocked: A Cuban medical mission’s bank account in Italy was reported frozen, limiting transfers tied to doctors’ earnings. Press Freedom Crackdown: CPJ urges Cuba to stop harassment of journalist Austin Llerandi, who faces threats of jail or exile for independent reporting. Local Outrage: Tiendas Caribe sparked backlash after selling scarce cooking-oil bundles only via a card system.

Education Update: Cuba’s Education Ministry says the 2026–27 school year starts Sept. 1 with more in-person learning, but a new model to handle shortages and students still disengaged—about 1.4 million enrolled, with tens of thousands needing special support. Energy & Water Crisis: President Díaz-Canel inspected the Paso Seco water source as Havana battles prolonged power outages tied to the U.S. blockade and fuel embargo, with repairs aimed at keeping pumping running. Health & Science: Cuban researchers at the Center for Molecular Immunology announced cancer drug candidate 2C12, presented as a step to strengthen domestic medicine production despite supply constraints. Blockade & Food Security: Cuba told the UN Security Council that hunger is worsening globally and that tighter U.S. blockade measures are hitting access to food and fuel. Tourism Pressure: A renewed U.S. offensive is driving major hotel chains to exit or wind down operations, deepening the tourism sector’s crisis. Human Impact: Reuters reports shortages are spreading across daily life, even affecting Havana’s animal rescues, while viral stories show families abroad returning to Cuba amid heartbreak and hardship. Weather Watch: Tropical Storm Dolly formed in the Atlantic and is tracking toward the Leeward Islands, with rain risks including Cuba.

Cuban-US Health Clash: Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez denounced new U.S. restrictions on access to medicines and medical supplies, saying they pile onto the blockade and threaten biopharma output, even as Cuban labs push forward with a promising cancer treatment. School Year Under Strain: Cuba is preparing to start the new school year despite shortages and disruptions, with officials saying conditions are in place for nearly 1.5 million students, while teachers and supplies remain a major challenge. Healthcare Costs at Home: In Santiago de Cuba, hospital workers reported paying $24 for a gas cylinder and waiting for delivery—an example of how foreign currency pressures hit everyday life. Tourism Hit by Sanctions: Cuba’s tourism sector is facing its worst crisis in decades as major hotel chains withdraw, citing intensified U.S. extraterritorial financial pressure. Private Sector Stuck: Díaz-Canel met with private businesses, but economists say Cuba still lacks the institutions—like a dedicated MIPYMES chamber and real union representation—that would let the sector operate normally. Local Life in Hospitals: A new hygiene store opened inside a Santiago de Cuba provincial hospital, selling essentials with QR payments, as families struggle to find basic items.

Immigration & Due Process: A Florida federal court ordered the release of a Cuban man who entered via CBP One and sought permanent residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act, after ICE arrested him without a proper deportation process—an outcome that could affect thousands of Cubans on similar cases. Humanitarian Crisis: A Cuban deported to Central Africa says he’s asking the Cuban-American community for help and warns immigrants the U.S. is “deporting to a second continent,” describing conditions as destructive. Cuba Under Pressure: Cubalex told the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights that Cuba’s militarization targets Cubans themselves, not external threats, citing a timeline of hundreds of actions. Public Life & Culture: Cubans can watch a partial lunar eclipse this Thursday night into Friday morning, with key moments at 9:22 p.m., 12:12 a.m., and 3:03 a.m. Justice Delayed: A U.S. military judge set June 5, 2028 for 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and three co-defendants at Guantánamo Bay.

Guantanamo Trial Update: A U.S. military judge set June 5, 2028 for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and three co-defendants to face trial by tribunal in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after years of legal deadlock and a rejected plea deal. Cuba-US Tensions: Cuba’s government condemned the U.S. decision to extend the blockade/embargo, calling it suffocation and a genocidal policy, while Cuba also said dialogue with the U.S. is stalled under pressure. Energy & Daily Life: Havana’s power situation remains strained, with reports of areas in Ciego de Ávila without electricity for more than 10 days and ongoing failures in waste-collection projects using electric tricycles. Private Sector Pressure: Díaz-Canel acknowledged obstacles for Cuba’s private entrepreneurs, warning the sector can’t become a space for illegalities. Immigration Fallout: ICE deportations continue to hit the region, including a Venezuelan official accused of torture sent back after a Miami case.

Cuba-US Sanctions: Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez condemned the U.S. decision to extend the economic embargo through September 2027, calling it “genocidal” and saying it comes amid intensified pressure on Havana. Private Sector Friction: President Díaz-Canel met with Cuba’s private entrepreneurs, acknowledging that “prejudices and obstacles” persist inside state structures and warning the private sector it can’t become a space for illegalities. Domestic Trade Crackdown: In Guáimaro, authorities are running inspections through mid-September, targeting invoice falsification, speculative pricing, tax evasion, and refusals to use required online payment channels. Higher Education Enrollment: Guáimaro’s Municipal University Center outlined the 2026-2027 enrollment process starting September 1, using local councils to summon new students and re-entries. Cuban Science & Health: The CIM says its new melanoma drug candidate “2C12” is ready for patient testing, aiming to expand cancer options amid medicine access limits. Diaspora & Identity: Artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara received 27,000 letters of support in Miami, while a young Cuban on TikTok said it’s getting harder to feel proud of being Cuban amid division and “vulgarity.” U.S. Immigration Moves: The U.S. temporarily suspended immigrant visa appointments worldwide for consular training, and ICE arrests hit a July record as tactics shifted toward more discreet detentions. Markets Watch: In Cuba’s informal market, the dollar held steady while the euro rose slightly and MLC edged up.

Cuba-U.S. Sanctions: President Trump extended the U.S. embargo against Cuba for another year, to September 2027, and Havana condemned it as a “genocidal” policy meant to suffocate the island. Cuban Diplomacy: Miguel Díaz-Canel told Brazilian media that talks with Washington are “stagnant,” with no agenda and no dialogue “under oppression,” while also denying claims Cuba is on the verge of collapse. Migrants Under Pressure: Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez denounced discriminatory treatment of newly arrived Cubans in the U.S., linking it to harsher anti-immigrant repression and accusing anti-Cuban politicians of manipulating emigration. Deportation Fallout: Reports say six migrants—including four Cuban men—refused to leave a plane in Liberia and were sent onward to Equatorial Guinea. Florida Politics (Cuban-American angle): GOP gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds named Miami Sen. Bryan Avila as running mate, pitching the ticket as a fight against socialism, with Avila’s Cuban-exile background central to the message. Culture & Community: Cuba’s FILHAV book fair opened with Venezuela participating, under a Fidel Castro centenary theme.

U.S.-Cuba Sanctions: President Trump extended the decades-old U.S. trade embargo on Cuba for another year, keeping restrictions in place until Sept. 14, 2027, as Havana battles an energy crunch and tighter economic pressure. Education Under Strain: Cuba’s 2026-2027 school year will start Sept. 1 across general education and universities, with the Education Ministry promising a “dignified and sustainable” restart despite fuel, transport, power outages, and supply limits. Daily Life & Prices: In Cuba’s informal market, the dollar rose to about 668 CUP while the euro held near 755 CUP, with the MLC around 468 CUP (indicative). Cuban Politics in Florida: Republican Florida governor nominee Byron Donalds named State Sen. Bryan Avila—son of Cuban exiles—as his running mate at Miami’s Freedom Tower, signaling a push to energize South Florida’s Cuban-American vote. Community Stories: A Cuban TikToker’s first house purchase in Cape Coral drew huge attention, while a Matanzas equestrian reunion showed how quickly island communities rally when animals are stolen.

U.S.-Cuba Policy: The Trump administration extended the Cuba trade embargo for one more year, through Sept. 14, 2027, keeping pressure on Havana’s economy and private activity. Sanctions Reality Check: Cubans continue to feel the squeeze in daily life, from shortages of medicines—where patients are told to “look for it outside”—to the dollar rising in the informal market as people try to protect savings amid fuel and power constraints. Cuban Economy Debate: Comedian Ulises Toirac pushed back on Díaz-Canel’s insistence that “there are no capitalist reforms,” arguing the measures are judged by whether they work, not by labels. Health & Energy Strain: Reports highlight how Cuba’s power crisis and the fuel blockade drive blackouts and push households toward costly solar solutions. Migration & U.S. Courts: A New York judge struck down Rubio’s nationality-based Trump visa ban affecting Cuba and other Caribbean countries, a win for families facing U.S. immigration barriers. Deportations: Another case describes deportees who resisted leaving a Liberia-bound flight being sent onward to Equatorial Guinea, including Cuban men.