AGP Executive Report

Cuba Power Crisis: A malfunction at Havana’s Victoria de Girón substation triggered major outages nationwide, with the SEN reporting sudden shutdowns of Rente-3 and Felton-1 and “high impact across the country,” as Granma was fully disconnected to prevent a wider collapse. Guiteras Shutdowns: Cuba’s Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant hit another breakdown—its 17th outage of 2026—sparking fresh anger and sarcasm online as repairs drag on. UN Blockade Debate Pressure: Cuba says the U.S. is pressuring UN member states to block a July 7 debate on the blockade; a leaked State Department cable reportedly urges allies to attack Havana in speeches and warn countries against “favorable” comments. U.S. Aid Dispute: The U.S. State Department rejects Díaz-Canel’s claim that the $100 million aid lacks food and medicine, saying shipments will begin in July. Tourism Link: Italian airline Neos launched a Rome–Holguín direct route, a rare connectivity boost as Cuba’s tourism struggles. Humanitarian Offer: Sandro Castro posted to Marco Rubio offering to help distribute the $100 million aid through independent channels.

Cuba Municipal Push: President Miguel Díaz-Canel toured Cerro and Marianao, urging local councils to tackle electricity generation, water, garbage pickup, bread production, and support for vulnerable residents as the oil-embargo crisis drags on. Cuba Connectivity: Neos Airlines restarted the Rome–Holguín direct route, landing a Boeing 787-9 with 238 passengers and signaling more options for European travel to eastern Cuba. Cuba Tax Crackdown: Cuba’s ONAT says it will begin automatically collecting overdue tax debts from bank accounts of delinquent taxpayers starting 30 days after June 18, after notice and appeals. U.S.-Cuba Tensions: Cuba’s deputy foreign minister blasted Washington’s strategy as a “cruel and daily war” measured by Cuban suffering, while ICAP leaders condemned fresh U.S. attacks on the solidarity group. Health Watch (U.S.): The CDC is investigating a growing cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to watery diarrhea, with Michigan reporting a surge and multiple hospitalizations. Venezuela Disaster Response: Earthquake deaths rose to 2,595 as rescue efforts continue, with criticism of slow access and blocked help in hard-hit areas.

Cuba’s Transport in Hard Currency: PedroCarr launched a new digital booking platform for interprovincial travel and airport transfers priced in euros, aimed at Cubans abroad and foreign visitors—while its regular peso services continue. Repression Around U.S. Independence Events: Cuban authorities arrested and violently detained activists during the Fourth of July gatherings tied to U.S. diplomat Mike Hammer, with rights groups warning of escalating crackdowns. U.S. Pressure on Cuba’s Health Links: Havana says Washington is pressuring other governments to end bilateral healthcare programs with Cuba, arguing it cuts access to services and deepens the island’s crisis. Economic Survival Meets Reform: Cuba signaled it will push foreign investment and expand the private sector, rolling out major economic measures as sanctions and fuel shortages squeeze daily life. Blackouts Dictate Havana Life: Reports describe routines governed by electricity returning, with empty stations and shortages—blamed by officials on the blockade. Havana’s Private Sector Boom: A new look at “two Cubas” shows state shelves nearly empty while private mini-markets expand, but at prices many can’t afford. Cuba in the News Beyond the Island: Panama beat Cuba to qualify for the next round in World Cup Americas qualifiers.

Cuban Healthcare Crisis: A Batabanó mother, Irisleydis Tristá, says Havana’s Hermanos Ameijeiras CT scanner has been broken for seven months, leaving her unable to confirm whether her cancer has spread as hospitals face shortages and broken equipment. Demographic Alarm: The UN warns Cuba could lose nearly half its population by 2100, driven by aging, falling births, and massive youth emigration. U.S.-Cuba Pressure at the UN: Cuba’s foreign minister says the UN should debate Washington’s “maximum pressure,” while the U.S. is pushing countries to block the vote. Sanctions and Policy Fight: Cuba’s deputy foreign minister denounces blackout hours, shortages, and postponed care as proof the U.S. “success” is measured by suffering. Sports Despite Hardship: Cuba will send 506 athletes to Santo Domingo 2026, citing blockade-linked limits on travel, recovery, and supplies. Guantánamo Labor Update: Seven Guantánamo delegates were elected to the CTC’s national council, emphasizing workers’ role in economic and social plans through 2026.

Cuba–U.S. Policy Signals: President Trump told audiences in North Dakota that Cuba is “coming our way,” without details, as Havana warns the U.S. blockade has reached “unsustainable” levels and pushes for a UN General Assembly debate on July 7. Sanctions & Influence Operations: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked the legal status of a Cuban national tied to ICAP, saying the case reflects Washington’s crackdown on Havana’s influence network; separately, U.S. lawmakers reiterated calls to end the blockade. Energy & Daily Life: Cuba’s energy crisis is reshaping food shopping, with refrigeration-dependent items like frozen chicken, eggs, and ice cream increasingly discounted or disappearing from freezers—turning “having a full freezer” into a worry. Power Failures & Shortages: Reports describe blackouts and a widening gap between promised recovery and real demand, while Cubans keep adapting amid empty shelves and stalled services. Cuban Medical Brigade Dispute: Belize officials say talks with the U.S. over the Cuban medical brigade are tied up in claims of forced labor, with options now being drafted for cabinet review. Regional Context: Iran is on high alert for Ayatollah Khamenei’s funeral, expecting 15–20 million mourners, as security preparations intensify.

Blockade Push in Congress: Four U.S. lawmakers—Delia Ramírez, Pramila Jayapal, Jonathan Jackson, and Ro Khanna—held a Capitol press conference demanding an end to the U.S. blockade, calling it “inexcusable and cruel” and linking it to long-running Monroe Doctrine-era hostility. Diplomacy Under Pressure: Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said talks with Washington show “no progress,” while Cuba also requested a UN General Assembly session for July 7 to denounce the embargo as a “crime against humanity” and a genocide-like energy blockade. Sanctions and Detentions: The U.S. says it detained three Cubans after Rubio terminated their legal status, alleging ties to Cuban intelligence via ICAP, which Washington recently sanctioned. Reform vs. Resistance: Díaz-Canel reiterated that Cuba’s economic changes aim to “save the Revolution,” as the island faces deepening crisis and intensified U.S. pressure.

U.S.-Cuba Standoff: Cuba’s foreign minister Bruno Rodríguez says talks with Washington are at a standstill and that any U.S. military aggression would be met “with all” the force of the Cuban state, warning the blockade is already a “crime against humanity.” Economic Restructuring: Cuba created a new National Institute of State Business Assets (INAEE) to steer changes to the state enterprise system, with Roberto Ricardo Marrero named to lead. Sanctions Pressure: Cuba also requested a UN session for July 7 on the U.S. blockade, accusing Washington of pressuring countries to delay the debate. Havana Daily Hardship: Residents in parts of Havana reported manufactured gas outages, leaving many with “no electricity, no water, no connection, and no gas,” while a separate report highlights a neighborhood push for solar-powered electric tricycles to tackle garbage collection. Venezuela Earthquake Fallout: Cuba says it will not abandon Venezuela as rescue brigades continue arriving after deadly quakes, with missing Cuban citizens still reported. Sports & Culture: A young Cuban soccer talent, Didier Reinoso, signed in Panama; and Havana’s art scene continues to draw attention amid broader regional coverage.

U.S.-Cuba Talks Stall: Cuba’s foreign minister Bruno Rodríguez says negotiations with the United States are at a standstill, with Washington pairing “no progress” talks with new coercive measures and threats. Economic Reform Reality Check: Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz and President Miguel Díaz-Canel pushed the regime’s 176 economic measures, but Díaz-Canel admitted the 2026 Economic Plan won’t truly guide the implementation—blaming internal bureaucratic hurdles and the wider crisis. Energy Crisis Hits Havana Hard: Centro Habana residents staged a pot-banging protest after more than 28 hours without electricity, gas, and water; Havana’s manufactured gas system failure left hundreds of thousands without service. Matanzas Power Breakdown: In Matanzas, outages have topped 70 hours in some areas, with eight substations out of service due to technical failures and stolen transformer oil. Cuba’s Diplomatic Pushback: Cuba also accused the U.S. of pressuring UN member states to delay a July 7 debate on the blockade. Venezuela Aid Continues: A second group of Cuban rescue and health experts arrived in Venezuela to support earthquake search-and-rescue and medical care.

Venezuela Earthquake Response: Acting President Delcy Rodríguez says rescue teams from 30 countries are still searching for survivors after the 7.2 and 7.5 quakes, with new brigades arriving including Cuba; authorities are assessing damaged buildings and planning temporary camps and housing for thousands by year-end. Humanitarian Strain in the Region: Reports from Caracas describe overwhelmed pediatric care and limited ICU capacity, while the death toll continues to rise and the true scale may never be fully known. Cuba’s Role in Relief: Cuban rescuers are among the international teams deployed, underscoring Havana’s continued presence in crisis response across the Caribbean and Latin America. Cuba-U.S. Sanctions Pressure: Cuba’s UN envoy in Geneva denounced the U.S. blockade and extraterritorial secondary sanctions as violations of trade norms, warning they block financing, remittances, and technology for health and food sectors. Cuba Economy Under New U.S. Moves: A separate report highlights Washington’s expanding sanctions architecture tied to Cuba’s revenue networks and recent court rulings affecting claims against Cuban state firms. Cuba in the News Beyond Politics: A Granma rice project is using drones to plant more hectares, while Ciego de Ávila officials report high rates of malnutrition among pregnant women and infants.

Cuba’s Municipal Overhaul: Cuba’s National Assembly has approved a package expanding autonomy for all 168 municipalities, pushing local control over planning, food sovereignty, services, investment decisions, and credit mechanisms—an attempt to keep the socialist model running under U.S. pressure. U.S. Sanctions Pressure: The U.S. has announced fresh sanctions targeting Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and family, plus institutions and companies tied to the island’s economy and governance. Fuel Crisis, Health Support: The International Red Cross delivered solar power equipment to Medical Clinic No. 15 in Urbano Noris, aiming to keep emergency services running despite the fuel crunch. Guantánamo Summer Push: A PCC first secretary visited Baracoa’s Playa Caribe to inspect vendors and sports areas as Cuba’s “Summer 2026” season begins. Venezuela Earthquake Response: Cuba sent a special search-and-rescue brigade with dogs to join international efforts after major quakes, as the death toll climbs.

U.S. pressure and sanctions: A new report says Washington’s economic blockade and military threats against Cuba violate international law and aim at regime change, not just policy change. Economic squeeze inside Cuba: Witnesses in Havana and provinces say inspectors and police are seizing cash from private businesses in national currency, replacing it with transfers they can’t withdraw—reportedly tied to banks running out of money and pension shortfalls. Mariel port reshuffle: Gaesa transferred assets tied to the Mariel container terminal to another state-linked company, a move described as a way to keep operations running while dodging U.S. sanctions. Diplomacy clash: Cuba’s foreign minister hit Germany’s foreign minister after he blamed Cuba’s crisis on mismanagement, arguing the real driver is the U.S. energy blockade. Energy and repression: In Santiago de Cuba, the regime deployed armed black berets with rifles after pot-banging protests over long outages, while Matanzas saw arrests over an alleged attempted arson murder plot. Venezuela quake spillover: Cuban rescue brigades with search dogs arrived to help after the deadly twin earthquakes, as families in Havana still wait for word on missing relatives.

U.S. pressure on Cuba: A former Treasury sanctions official says the Trump administration is escalating “unprecedented” pressure by targeting foreign banks and companies tied to Cuba’s military-linked economy, while families of U.S. victims argue justice can’t be delayed. Cuban economic shake-up: Cuba’s Workers’ Federation is weighing sweeping “176” reforms meant to expand private activity and attract investment without changing the political system—amid blackouts, shortages, and public anger. Dollar yo-yo in Havana: The informal currency market swings again, with the dollar jumping then dropping sharply, feeding price volatility for everyday goods. Power crisis on the ground: Reports describe Cuba’s grid under strain, with major deficits and long outages pushing the system toward collapse. Labor and market rhetoric: Díaz-Canel and officials frame reforms as “creating wealth,” while critics warn it’s a Potemkin façade. Venezuela quake aid includes Cuba: After deadly earthquakes, Cuba is among the countries sending medical and rescue support as missing people counts rise. Havana’s everyday life: A new wave of small business and food spots keeps popping up, even as daily life remains shaped by shortages and electricity problems.

Cuba’s “176 reforms” and labor push: Cuba’s state is pitching a sweeping new Labor Code and 176 economic/social changes as “not a return to capitalism,” while the Cuban Workers’ Federation (CTC) weighs bringing more private-sector workers into the union—an effort that critics say is political survival dressed up as modernization. Dollar yo-yo and daily strain: Havana’s informal currency market swung hard in June, with the dollar jumping from 600 to 700 pesos before dropping back near 660, feeding price uncertainty and long lines. Blackouts, shortages, and repression: Reports from across the island highlight worsening power and medicine gaps, including a Sancti Spíritus shortage of 300+ drugs, while Cubalex warns of arrests tied to unrest around the 11J anniversary. Venezuela quake fallout with Cuban links: As Venezuela’s death toll climbs, Cuba’s foreign ministry says it has no official confirmation of missing or dead Cubans—contradicting citizen search platforms reporting at least 30 missing. UN food aid win: Cuba says it secured a UN World Food Programme continuation vote despite U.S. pressure, with cooperation planned through 2030.

UN Food Aid Win for Cuba: Cuba’s foreign minister says the UN World Food Programme approved a $116M aid plan through 2030 despite U.S. opposition, calling it proof Washington is isolated. Economic Overhaul in Havana: Díaz-Canel and the National Assembly push a sweeping package of 176 reforms across 23 axes, aiming to liberalize and decentralize parts of the economy while insisting socialism stays. Blackouts and Shortages: Cuba faces another extreme power deficit day, with the Electric Union warning of a massive MW shortfall and fuel-driven outages. Labor Movement Priorities: Díaz-Canel lays out five priorities for the CTC, including defense, the “economic battle,” political mobilization, and online defense of the Revolution. Repression Ahead of 11J: Cubalex reports arrests after unrest around the “Maffo Museum” in Santiago de Cuba, including minors, with detainees held incommunicado. Venezuela Quake Relief Hits Miami: South Florida restaurants and a Doral nonprofit are collecting supplies for Venezuelans after the earthquakes, as the death toll climbs past 900. Guantánamo July 26 Commemoration: The Communist Party grants Guantánamo special recognition for the July 26 anniversary, highlighting food production and healthcare priorities. Protest Fallout in Cuba: A Cuban teen released after months in an adult maximum-security prison faces restrictions, including a ban on in-person public statements.

Cuba’s economic reforms under fire: At the XXII Congress of the Cuban Workers’ Central (CTC), Díaz-Canel defended 176 “economic and social transformations,” insisting they are not privatization for its own sake and that state ownership stays central—while also calling for “creating wealth” and worker participation to keep subsidies and distribution afloat. Subsidy squeeze: Deputy PM Oscar Pérez Oliva-Fraga told delegates Cuba can’t sustain universal subsidies, linking the math to the energy crisis and saying state firms must operate without direct government support. Energy crisis, up close: Havana’s power strain continues as La Guiteras repairs damaged economizer pipes, with officials warning the worst outages are still unfolding. Labor organizing shift: Díaz-Canel proposed mobilizing unemployed or suspended workers into community brigades to tackle energy, food production, repairs, and care needs. Venezuela quake relief with Cuba in the mix: After twin earthquakes, the death toll climbed sharply as rescue teams from across the Americas—including Cuba—raced to find survivors and deliver aid. Local human story: Cuban activist Yamilka Lafita Cancio says she was burglarized and then assaulted while trying to file a police report, alleging she was treated as a suspect.

Cuba’s economic overhaul: Havana unveiled a sweeping package of 176 reforms, with supporters calling it a needed reset and critics warning it’s “perestroika without glasnost,” lacking real political openness and property-rights guarantees. Power and daily life: Blackouts keep hitting Havana and beyond, with reports of digital TV outages tied to unstable electricity; elsewhere, Cubans describe multi-day darkness and spoiled food, while officials and promises of solar fixes lag behind. Humanitarian strain: A Miami-based “911 Cuba” network of doctors and business leaders is drafting a plan to respond to a future healthcare emergency, including free aid and hospital rehabilitation. U.S.-Cuba pressure and diplomacy: The U.S. is reportedly seeking a “Venezuela-style” political opening in Havana, while the Justice Department moves to revoke U.S. citizenship of a convicted Cuban spy. Regional spillover: A deadly double earthquake in Venezuela continues to drive international aid and Cuban medical solidarity. Business and sanctions fallout: Canadian miner Sherritt warns of going-concern risk as Cuba-linked operations face disruption. Local Cuba safety: Residents in Cárdenas report a dangerously rotted power pole left unrepaired, raising fears of a collapse.