AGP Executive Report

Humanitarian Aid: Mexico and Belize sent 1,700 tons of food and basic necessities to Cuba, with the cargo ship Asian Katra docking in Havana as Cuban officials thanked both governments and solidarity groups for help amid shortages. Earthquake Watch: A rare 6.1 quake off Cuba’s west coast rattled Havana and spread tremors across Florida to Orlando and Jacksonville, prompting evacuations and brief closures at places like Disney World and SeaWorld; no major damage or tsunami threat was reported. Cuba-U.S. Tensions: President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the U.S. is weighing three scenarios against Cuba—economic strangulation to spark unrest, coercive pressure to seize the economy, or military aggression—while sanctions and fuel restrictions continue to bite. Defense & Tech Controls: Cuban customs seized Starlink antennas shipped from Miami, with officials warning that unauthorized communications equipment can bring criminal penalties. Solidarity & Memory: A Britain-to-Havana solidarity journey highlights how Cuba convoys have long relied on international support despite U.S. embargo rules.

Earthquake Watch: A 6.1-magnitude quake struck offshore near western Cuba, shaking buildings in Havana and triggering reports of tremors across Florida from Orlando to the Gulf; U.S. officials said there’s no tsunami threat and no damage reported. Public Health & Daily Life: Havana residents say garbage has piled up on nearly every street corner as power outages, water shortages, and a fuel crisis have left garbage trucks stalled; people are burning waste, raising health fears as summer heat and hurricane season loom. Sanctions Pressure: The UN human rights chief urged Washington to lift Cuba’s tightened sanctions, warning they’re harming vulnerable Cubans and contributing to medical shortages; Cuba’s leaders denounced new U.S. threats and sanctions as an effort to strengthen the blockade. Diplomacy & Aid: Mexico and Belize delivered 1,700 tons of food and basic necessities to Cuba, with Cuban officials pointing to continued international solidarity amid worsening conditions. U.S.-Cuba Legal Moves: The U.S. Justice Department unsealed a superseding indictment tied to the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue shootdown, naming Raúl Castro and co-defendants. Regional Security: A new analysis says Caribbean trafficking routes to Europe are evolving into more flexible networks, increasing security challenges as interdiction pressure rises.

Blackout pressure and health risks: Cuba’s power crisis is deepening, with rotating outages and daily life grinding to a halt, while health officials in Pinar del Río warn of an “unusual increase” in hepatitis A tied to rainfall and contaminated water. Protests and repression: In Santiago de Cuba, three women accused after pot-banging against blackouts face prosecutors seeking up to 10 years in prison, as authorities keep tightening control. US escalation and military jitters: The US keeps ratcheting up pressure—new sanctions on Cuba’s leadership and Castro family, plus more visible military posture near the island—while Havana says it’s preparing for possible aggression. Financial squeeze hits travel and payments: Visa and Mastercard services in Cuba are being suspended, and Canadian airlines have halted flights indefinitely, adding to the tourism collapse. Humanitarian strain and outside aid: The UN warns surgeries are being suspended and medicine shortages are worsening, even as Mexico and Belize delivered 1,700 tons of basic goods to Cuba. Cuba’s internal security apparatus on display: Raul Castro and Díaz-Canel presided over promotions in the Ministry of the Interior, underscoring the regime’s focus on surveillance and internal control. Culture under strain: A wave of Cuban books and releases in May centers on memory, exile, and the human cost of upheaval.

U.S.-Cuba Pressure and Humanitarian Fallout: Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez says the U.S. oil embargo and tightening blockade are “collective punishment” driving infant deaths, claiming infant mortality has doubled to 9.9 per 1,000 live births. Sanctions and Military Tension: Díaz-Canel warns Washington is weighing three scenarios—economic suffocation to spark unrest, coercive “dialogue” to seize Cuba’s economy, or military aggression—while Havana also denies reports of drone purchases and insists it will “fight to the bitter end.” Aid Still Arrives: A ship carrying 1,700 tons of food and essentials from Mexico and Belize docked in Havana as the crisis deepens. Tourism and Payments Collapse: Canada’s major airlines (Air Canada, WestJet/Sunwing) suspend Cuba flights indefinitely; Cuba also faces payment disruptions as Visa/Mastercard access is set to stop for non-U.S. visitors. Everyday Life Under Strain: Havana’s energy crisis keeps hitting residents, while a Bayamo bike-taxi driver reports stolen tires—his only way to support a blind mother. Culture Under Pressure: Havana’s International Book Fair is rescheduled for Aug. 10–16, moving venues due to the energy emergency.

U.S. Sanctions Tighten on Cuba’s Power and Military: The Trump administration announced new sanctions targeting Cuban military instrumentalities and other actors tied to “subversive anti-American activities,” while Cuba’s foreign minister Bruno Rodríguez blamed the blockade for rising infant mortality and worsening child cancer survival. Humanitarian Pressure Meets Daily Collapse: Cubans shared fresh accounts of blackouts and shortages, including a viral video of a mother forced to cook with charcoal because there’s no electricity or gas, and complaints about ETECSA generators in Havana drowning neighborhoods in noise. Tourism and Payments Keep Falling Apart: More airlines and hotel groups are suspending Cuba service; Canadian carriers halted flights indefinitely, and Indonesian chain Archipelago International confirmed its exit, citing U.S. sanctions. Separately, Cuba’s Visa/Mastercard access is set to stop, adding to the strain on everyday purchases. Raúl Castro Returns to Public View: Raúl Castro made his first public appearance since U.S. charges, as Cuba marked his 95th birthday with a security-focused message. Havana Streets, Too: Residents in Centro Habana filmed trash around a major church, while others reported a new door-breaching technique used by thieves.

Raúl Castro Returns to Public: Cuba’s former president, 95, appeared publicly for the first time since U.S. murder charges over the 1996 downing of civilian planes, showing up at a Havana Interior Ministry event as Washington tightens sanctions. New U.S. Sanctions on Díaz-Canel and Family: The Treasury added Cuba’s president Miguel Díaz-Canel, his wife Lis Cuesta, and other relatives and state-linked bodies to sanctions lists, as Cuba denounced the move as escalation of the blockade. Tourism Fallout Accelerates: More hotel and airline exits hit Cuba’s already battered sector, including Air Canada suspending flights indefinitely and additional hotel operators pulling out amid fuel shortages and legal pressure. Visa/Mastercard Cutoff Looms: Cuba says it can’t process Visa and Mastercard payments due to U.S. sanctions, with the financial squeeze feeding the broader crisis. Energy Crisis on Display: Daily life continues to be disrupted by blackouts and scarcity, from cooking interrupted by power loss to warnings that the grid could fail further. China Pushes Back: Beijing condemned the U.S. doubling down on the Cuba blockade and sanctions, urging Washington to stop coercion. Legal Win for Immigrants in U.S.: A federal judge struck down Trump-era USCIS policies that stalled asylum and other immigration decisions for people from 39 countries, including Cuba.

U.S.-Cuba Sanctions Escalation: Cuba rejected Rubio’s claim that Washington doesn’t block oil shipments, pointing to U.S. tariffs that punish any country supplying fuel to Havana, as the Trump administration added Díaz-Canel, relatives, and entities like MINFAR and the CDR to new sanctions lists. Raúl Castro Returns to Public View: Reuters reports Raúl Castro reappeared at a Havana Interior Ministry event days after U.S. murder charges, with Díaz-Canel defending him in a high-profile speech. Humanitarian Aid Crosses the Border: Colombia sent about 100 tons of state humanitarian goods from Cartagena to Cuba, including medicines, hospital supplies, electrical materials, and solar panels. Energy Crisis Hits Daily Life: Blackouts and fuel shortages are stalling services like trash pickup, while Havana residents keep protesting for water and electricity. Tourism and Payments Under Pressure: Cuba says it will offer hotel management to Cuban investors at home and abroad as major airlines suspend trips indefinitely; Visa and Mastercard are no longer accepted in Cuba. Regional Ripples: China condemned the U.S. blockade escalation and backed Cuba, while Caribbean civil society and diplomats rallied against the embargo.

New U.S. sanctions on Cuba’s leadership: Washington added Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, his wife and other relatives and allies to its sanctions list, with Havana calling it an escalation meant to reinforce the blockade and set up further aggression. China pushes back: Beijing condemned the move as “invented” pretexts and urged the U.S. to stop coercion, warning it could backfire. Visa/Mastercard squeeze hits Cuba: Reports say Cuba’s central bank moved up the changeover so Visa and Mastercard can no longer be used in Cuba starting Saturday, tightening financial access. Tourism takes another hit: Sunwing Vacations and WestJet Vacations have suspended all Cuba operations indefinitely, citing Cuba’s worsening fuel shortage; travelers face rebooking or refunds. On-the-ground pressure: A protest in Marianao’s Zamora area used pots-and-pans and street gatherings amid darkness and power problems, showing how quickly daily life is being pulled into politics. Hotel contract fallout: Spanish hotel operators face potential legal action in Cuba after withdrawing management, as sanctions and contract disputes collide.

Cuba Sanctions Escalation: The U.S. Treasury and State Department hit Cuba again, imposing new sanctions on President Miguel Díaz-Canel, his wife Lis Cuesta Peraza, and his stepson, plus Alejandro Castro Espín and other figures tied to Raúl Castro, while also targeting key institutions including Cuba’s Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, ICAP, the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, and entities like Amistur Cuba and Minera La Victoria. Havana condemned the move, saying it’s meant to reinforce the blockade and intensify conflict. Visa/Mastercard Disruption: Separate reporting says Visa and Mastercard payment services will stop functioning in Cuba starting June 6, adding pressure to an already strained economy. Tourism Under Pressure: As sanctions bite, foreign hotel operators are pulling back—Spain’s Meliá is reported to be shutting down operations at multiple Cuba hotels, following earlier exits by other chains. Rubio’s Transition Talk: Marco Rubio told lawmakers there may be “technocrats” inside Cuba who could play a role in a transition, but he wouldn’t name anyone. Guantánamo Leadership Change: At Guantánamo Bay, U.S. Navy medical command leadership changed hands in a change-of-command ceremony, underscoring ongoing U.S. military medical operations.

U.S. Cuba Pressure Escalates: China’s foreign ministry urged Washington to end its blockade and sanctions against Cuba, calling Rubio’s claims “invented” and warning the UN can’t distribute nearly 20,000 tonnes of food amid fuel shortages. Military Threat Worries Region: Parlatino warned of a “dangerous” risk of military force after U.S. statements about attacking Cuba, urging dialogue to avoid escalation. Sanctions Hit Daily Life: A Democracy Now! segment highlighted Cuba’s worsening humanitarian strain under Trump’s energy blockade, with residents describing months without water and rolling blackouts. Financial Services Cut Off: Reports say Cuba will lose Visa and Mastercard access as U.S. sanctions take effect, deepening the island’s economic squeeze. Solidarity and Diplomacy: Cuba marked Raúl Castro’s 95th birthday amid international attention, while Russia and China reiterated support, including investment interest from Russian firms. Cuban Repression Continues: Cuba arrested another YouTuber, and a separate report described a creator detained after parodies of U.S. documentaries. Humanitarian Outreach: Delegations of Black journalists and faith leaders visited Cuba to document the crisis and deliver aid.

Raúl Castro Turns 95 Under Shadow of U.S. Indictment: Cuba marked Raúl Castro’s 95th birthday with praise from President Díaz-Canel, but his whereabouts were still unclear two weeks after the U.S. charged him over the 1996 downing of civilian planes. Cuba’s government framed Raúl as a “bet on peace,” while Washington says it will pursue “everything possible” to bring him to justice, as Trump’s pressure campaign tightens. Sanctions Hit Daily Life Fast: Cuba’s central bank says Visa and Mastercard transactions will stop from June 6 after a foreign processor ends ties with Fincimex, cutting off card-based income. Tourism Fallout Widens: Spain’s Meliá says it will stop managing 15 hotels in Cuba, joining other exits as U.S. sanctions target foreign firms linked to GAESA. Diplomacy vs. Pressure: Marco Rubio told lawmakers Cuba has “technocrats” who could negotiate, while Cuba rejected U.S. terrorism-sponsor accusations as political and aimed at strangling the economy. Human Rights and Sovereignty Pushback: Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez reiterated Cuba wants peace and rejects military intervention and the blockade.

Cuba-US Pressure: U.S. sanctions are hitting Cuba’s payments system hard: Cuba’s central bank says Visa and Mastercard transactions will be suspended after a foreign bank cut ties with GAESA’s financial arm, Fincimex—another blow to the island’s ability to earn income through cards. Tourism Exodus: Spanish hotel operator Meliá says it will stop managing 15 Cuba hotels tied to GAESA, joining a fast-moving wave of withdrawals by foreign firms as new U.S. deadlines near. UN Condemnation: UN human rights experts warn that Washington’s “threats and coercion” toward Cuba echo “colonial-era practices,” pointing to the long embargo, fuel blockade, and pressure on third parties. Havana Protests & Blackouts: Reports describe pot-banging demonstrations in Havana amid ongoing electricity shortages, with police presence and harassment claims following some protests. Raúl Castro at 95: President Díaz-Canel marked Raúl Castro’s 95th birthday with praise for his “lifelong service,” while Cuba also held events presenting a new multi-volume collection of Raúl’s works.

US-Cuba Tensions: Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers Cuba is a “failed state” and a growing national security threat, alleging Havana hosts Chinese and Russian intelligence operations and undermines pro-U.S. governments across Latin America. GAESA Crackdown: Cuba defended military-run conglomerate GAESA as sanctions tighten, while foreign hotel groups reportedly cut ties and tourism takes another hit. Havana Protests Over Blackouts: As Raúl Castro turns 95, residents in multiple Havana neighborhoods staged pot-banging demonstrations against power outages lasting up to 22 hours, with police presence and reports of people pushing back. Energy Crisis Worsens: Cuba’s grid strain deepened after a substation failure and the Cuban National TV blackout during a broadcast, while meteorologists warned Saharan dust will add heat and reduce rainfall. International Pressure: Spain’s universities and research figures signed a manifest opposing military aggression against Cuba as the USS Nimitz presence in the Caribbean fuels speculation. Human Rights Pressure: Activists confronted Rubio in Washington demanding an end to the blockade, while separate reporting highlighted alleged medical neglect in U.S. immigration detention.

GAESA Under Fire: Cuba defended GAESA, saying the military-run conglomerate is a “carefully crafted” response to the U.S. blockade as Washington tightens sanctions and hotel operators keep exiting. Humanitarian Blockade: A UN-linked report says the U.S. blockade is blocking UN food and fuel shipments, leaving thousands of tons stuck at Cuban ports while fuel shortages cripple distribution. Congress vs. Rubio: U.S. lawmakers questioned Secretary of State Marco Rubio in public as he pushed an Iran nuclear path tied to conditions, while Cuba tensions hung over the hearings. Iran Talks Signal: Rubio said Iran’s supreme leader is “increasingly engaging” and that limited nuclear negotiations may restart, but sanctions relief remains off the table without nuclear concessions. Immigration Policy Shift: A new U.S. memo could force many green-card applicants to leave the country and apply from abroad, changing how status adjustments work. Cuba Energy Crunch: CUPET says it refined 100% domestic crude to produce needed inputs amid the fuel crisis, as Cuba’s power and water problems deepen. Hotel Exodus: Another international hotel chain ended operations in Cuba ahead of new GAESA-related sanctions. Brothers to the Rescue: Thirty years after the 1996 shootdown, a renewed U.S. indictment against Raúl Castro keeps the case alive for Cuban exiles.

U.S.-Cuba Tensions: A federal grand jury in Miami indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro over the 1996 shootdown of two civilian aircraft, alleging Cuban forces acted on his orders; Havana calls it a political move. Sanctions & Tourism: Iberia suspended direct Madrid–Havana flights, citing Cuba’s crisis, fuel and logistics problems, and falling tourism. GAESA Crackdown: Iberostar stopped managing Gaesa-linked hotels ahead of an OFAC deadline tied to Executive Order 14404. Humanitarian Pressure: A report says U.S. oil restrictions have paralyzed UN food distribution, leaving about 20,000 tons stuck or moving slowly. Healthcare Under Strain: A Havana family says they can’t get a surgical slot for a sick mother as hospitals limit procedures amid blackouts and shortages. Daily Life: In Pinar del Río, a classic “almendrón” is pulled by oxen as fuel scarcity deepens. Education Hit: Cuba’s energy crisis is forcing an early end to the school year and canceling university entrance exams. Culture & Control: Comedian Eddy Ceballos was arrested over alleged “invasion of military property,” and fellow humorist Ulises Toirac warned Cuba’s social communication laws can be used against critical comedy.

Cuba’s tourism squeeze: Iberostar and Blue Diamond have pulled back as U.S. sanctions target ties to GAESA, leaving more hotels shuttered and operators scrambling. Guantanamo talks: SOUTHCOM chief Gen. Francis L. Donovan held a rare “positive” exchange with senior Cuban military officials near the base, with both sides saying communications will continue. U.S. pressure and protests: At Miami International Airport, dueling crowds rallied against the oil embargo and sanctions—one side condemning U.S. threats of military action, the other backing Trump’s hard line. Humanitarian fallout: Cuba’s garbage crisis is worsening alongside dengue and chikungunya outbreaks as waste collection stalls, with officials citing dozens of deaths and thousands of new cases. International solidarity: Protesters and groups abroad renewed calls to end the blockade, including marches and fundraising actions tied to “Stop the blockade/Stop the genocide” messaging. Cuba in the spotlight: Cuba’s Venice Biennale pavilion opens with artist Juan Roberto Diago Durruthy reflecting on “Free Men” and resilience amid past and present dehumanization.