AGP Executive Report

Cuba’s Power Crisis: Havana is again living through blackouts and empty streets as the fuel blockade and rolling cuts keep crushing daily life, with people sleeping outside and searching trash for food. Diplomatic Fallout: The Dominican Popular Movement calls the Dominican Republic’s order for Cuban diplomats to leave “shameful,” saying it undermines historic solidarity and aligns with U.S. pressure. International Pressure on Cuba: A Spanish far-right-linked report urges Madrid to break with Cuba’s “kleptocracy,” while also spotlighting the opaque debate over Cuba’s debt to Spain. Humanitarian Echoes: Cuban-trained doctors are helping earthquake victims in Colombia, part of a broader story of Cuban medical solidarity. Economy in the Streets: The informal market closes with the dollar slightly down, the euro steady, and MLC up—signs of persistent currency demand amid shrinking purchasing power. Fidel Centenary Lens: Multiple pieces revisit Fidel Castro’s legacy as Cuba marks 100 years amid crisis, shortages, and uncertainty.

Cuba Economy Under Sanctions: A new report says U.S. sanctions have pushed Cuba’s tourism industry “near zero,” leaving hotels empty and about 25,000 workers jobless, while everyday Cubans struggle to get by. Tech and Connectivity: China’s Qianfan is being pitched as a satellite internet option for Cuba, as Starlink terminals reportedly keep operating illegally despite being “can’t be sold” there. Health in Guantánamo: Electric taxis are now transporting hemodialysis patients in Guantánamo, with plans to shift charging to solar. Diplomacy and Travel: Panama extended transit visas for certain Cuban travelers until 2029. Regional Politics: Cuba condemned the Dominican Republic’s expulsion of Cuban diplomats, saying it reflects U.S. pressure. Fidel Centenary and Culture: Cuba marked Fidel Castro’s 100th anniversary amid an energy crisis, with events and debates over his legacy. Cyclone Risk: Meteorologists warn August is Cuba’s highest-risk cyclone period. Prices Shock: A viral video from Havana’s National Aquarium shows steep private-sector pricing, sparking outrage over what Cubans can afford.

Cuba’s energy squeeze deepens: Insmet warns El Niño could bring hotter, drier conditions and raise the odds of a direct tropical cyclone hit, as NOAA says the current El Niño may be the strongest since 1950. Power grid strain on the ground: Cubans keep reporting blackouts and outages, including a transformer explosion in Boyeros and fresh reports of neighborhoods left without water and electricity. Human cost and resistance: Opposition activist Diosbel Véliz Marín was stabbed to death in Havana, with activists calling for a transparent investigation. Culture under pressure: A new Havana home-based cultural center, “El Proyecto,” is offering concerts and screenings despite the collapse of the national electricity system. Fidel centenary propaganda vs reality: A kindergarten named “13 de Agosto” opens in Camagüey, while elsewhere Cubans report the cult of personality continuing unabated. Diplomacy tensions: Cuba and the Dominican Republic trade accusations after the DR expels Cuban diplomats, with Cuba blaming U.S. pressure.

US-Cuba Dialogue: President Miguel Díaz-Canel says Cuba is willing to talk with Washington “without pressure,” insisting any talks must be on “equal” terms and with respect for sovereignty. Power Under the Surface: A Bloomberg report says U.S. officials believe Cuba’s leadership is shaped by the Castro family, with influence spread across the Armed Forces and Communist Party bureaucracy—complicating Washington’s strategy. Economic Pressure, Explained: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent again framed Cuba as a test case for how long a regime can endure sanctions, while warning of “measures like never seen before” aimed at Iran. Electricity Crisis Hits Again: In Cárdenas, a lightning strike has knocked out the Smith Comas substation, worsening power and water supply problems as transformer shortages loom. Infrastructure Safety: In Matanzas, a section of railing on the historic General Lacret Morlot Bridge is missing, leaving pedestrians—especially elderly walkers—exposed. Diplomatic Fallout: Cuba’s embassy staff in Santo Domingo moved belongings as nine Cuban diplomats face a Dominican expulsion deadline. Regional Crime Crackdown: CARICOM’s Operation Eclipse seized about $54.5 million in illicit assets and contraband across the Caribbean. Fidel at 100: Multiple tributes and centenary coverage continue to spotlight Fidel Castro’s legacy amid Cuba’s ongoing crisis.

U.S. Cuba Policy Shift: The Trump administration is moving away from military options and toward tighter sanctions, aiming to cut off regime revenue and pressure the Castro family and military leadership. Diplomatic Fallout: Cuba’s diplomats in the Dominican Republic are packing after an order to leave—at least nine officials, with Cuba disputing the number—sparking criticism and questions. Economic Strain at Home: Cuba’s informal currency market stayed steady this Saturday (dollar ~664 CUP; euro ~760 CUP), but daily life is still squeezed by shortages and price shocks. Food and Power Crisis: Cooking oil shortages are driving Cubans to pork fat—yet lines and scarcity persist—while blackouts and missing supplies keep worsening the situation. Public Discontent: A new survey reports overwhelming distrust in the government’s management and recent economic measures, with most calling for political and economic change. Political Prisoners: Opposition figure Fernando Mitchel Barzaga Mompié was released after serving his sentence for 11J protests, while Guillermo del Sol Pérez remains in critical condition after nearly 60 days on hunger strike. Local Governance Push: Díaz-Canel urged municipal solutions in Guanabacoa, citing power outages, waste buildup, and water difficulties.

U.S.-Cuba Policy Shift: The Trump administration’s Cuba strategy is moving away from military options and toward tighter sanctions aimed at cutting off regime revenue, echoing its economic squeeze approach used against Iran. Dominican Republic Fallout: Dominican authorities expelled nine Cuban diplomats, and Cuban officials downplayed the move while critics and grassroots groups called protests, as Dominican sources allege intelligence-linked activity tied to Havana. Food and Finance Pressure: Cuba’s foreign minister again denounced “maximum pressure,” while reports highlight how banking and payment rules collide with everyday commerce—leaving small businesses stuck with unusable balances. Everyday Crisis on the Island: Havana residents in Luyanó reported waking up without water, electricity, phone, or TV, and a transformer fire in Calabazar, Boyeros left neighbors frustrated with delays in repairs. Energy and Prices: Holguín officials moved to cap profits and regulate key staples as costs rise, while viral “what $15 buys” videos show how thin purchasing power has become. Regional Signals: BRICS leaders discussed linking instant payments and digital currencies, and China delivered another 15,000 tons of rice to Cuba amid the food crunch.

Fidel Castro’s Centenary: Cuba marked Fidel Castro’s 100th birthday with major state events in Havana, including a cultural spectacle attended by Raúl Castro and Díaz-Canel—while the island’s crisis deepens under a U.S. fuel blockade and sanctions. Power and Food Squeeze: Cubans keep reporting blackouts and rising prices—one creator says eating has become a “luxury,” and another in Las Tunas calls out eggs priced at 135 CUP each. Water Woes: With shortages worsening, residents are improvising, including repairing an abandoned well after contaminated water left families with only toilet-flushing use. Energy Repairs and Grid Friction: Alamar residents warn of months of frequent, short outages that disrupt appliances and water pumps. U.S. Pressure Strategy: A new U.S. approach is reportedly shifting from military options toward tighter sanctions and cutting regime revenue. Diplomatic Tensions: Cuba’s centenary backdrop also includes renewed regional friction as the Dominican Republic expels Cuban diplomats, blaming U.S. pressure. Repression Watch: Influencer Anna Bensi faces criminal proceedings tied to a video recorded at her home, after months of surveillance and restrictions.

Cuba-US Tensions: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says “all options” are on the table for Cuba, including military action, as Washington keeps up pressure amid the island’s fuel and power crisis. Diplomatic Fallout: The Dominican Republic ordered nine Cuban embassy officials and their families to leave within seven days, with Cuba calling it a response to U.S. pressure and the DR citing sovereignty and diplomatic rules. Humanitarian Pressure: A UN official warns sanctions and “overcompliance” by shipping and finance firms are delaying aid, leaving hospitals short of essentials like cancer drugs and water-treatment equipment. Energy Strain in Havana: With blackouts worsening, Cubans are sleeping on rooftops and public spaces to catch any breeze, as the U.S. fuel embargo deepens daily hardship. Fidel Centenary, Culture & Memory: Cuba marked Fidel Castro’s 100th birthday with events across the country, including a Guantánamo cultural gala and a first baby birth at Lenin Hospital timed to the centenary. Immigration & Crime: A Cuban national pleaded guilty in Florida to alien smuggling and money laundering tied to fraudulent ESTA/visa waivers.

Fidel Centenary Amid Crisis: Cuba marked Fidel Castro’s 100th birthday with rallies, concerts and conferences, but the celebrations land amid worsening shortages and rolling blackouts, as Cubans question whether the revolution’s promises still hold. Diplomatic Fallout: The Dominican Republic ordered nine (and separately reported ten) Cuban diplomats and their families to leave on short notice, and Havana condemned it as submission to U.S. pressure, warning it will damage ties. U.S. Pressure and Military Talk: A new wave of U.S. rhetoric is raising alarms in the region, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth saying “all options are on the table” for Cuba, while Latin America watches for deeper U.S. military involvement. Energy and Everyday Hardship: Reports highlight Cuba’s deepening power emergency and the government’s struggle to keep basic services running, as provinces tighten price controls and profit limits to fight inflation. Solidarity Beyond the Americas: Namibia renewed calls to end the U.S. embargo and raised over N$700,000 for Cuba, sending medical supplies and solar kits as a direct response to the island’s energy crisis.

Fidel Castro centenary under pressure: Cuba marked Fidel Castro’s 100th birthday with rallies, art and book fair events in Havana, even as the island’s crisis deepens under a U.S. fuel blockade and sanctions. Poverty numbers hit hard: A new Ninth Study on Social Rights says 94% of Cubans live in extreme poverty, with 8 in 10 forced to skip meals, and 95% disapproving of the government’s economic and social management. Raúl Castro returns to public view: The indicted former leader drew a standing ovation at a Havana event, appearing amid tight security. U.S. military rhetoric escalates: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth again said “all options are on the table,” including military options, as Cuba faces recurring blackouts and shortages. Diplomatic fallout nearby: The Dominican Republic ordered nine Cuban diplomats and their families to leave within seven days, citing international law but no reasons. Energy lifeline story: China delivered another 5,000 solar systems to Cuba, pushing the island’s solar expansion as the grid strains.

Fidel Castro at 100: Cuba marked Fidel Castro’s centenary with book fairs, art shows, concerts, and leftist gatherings, even as the island’s crisis deepens under a U.S. energy blockade and sanctions squeeze. U.S. pressure and threats: Russia’s diplomats dismissed new U.S. sanctions as “impotence,” while U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said “all options are on the table,” including military action. Political repression: Prisoners Defenders says Cuba hit a record 1,327 political prisoners in July, including a 13-year-old detained after blackout-era protests. Security crackdown in Havana: 14ymedio reports a major military deployment extended through Guanabacoa, with residents suspecting it’s meant to repress unrest tied to the Fidel anniversary. Sports and defections: Cuba’s fencers and a softball player reportedly fled during the Central American Games in Santo Domingo, as state media stayed silent. Energy strain: Exiled journalist Suleidy Peñate Ramos describes the psychological toll of prolonged blackouts. Business impact: Sherritt International reports losses tied to Cuba disruptions after U.S. sanctions.

Fidel Castro Centenary Diplomacy: Cuba’s leadership is using Fidel’s 100th birthday to rally global support, with Díaz-Canel attending an international solidarity forum tied to the “Fidel: Legacy and Future” colloquium, where organizers denounced the U.S. blockade as a “war without bombs” and urged stronger international solidarity. Energy Crisis, Real-World Fixes: Cuba opened a solar charging station in Villa Clara and highlighted new renewable capacity in Holguín, as the island’s deeper fuel and power problems keep hitting daily life. U.S. Cuba Policy Signals: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Cuba is headed for “irreversible” political change before the end of the Trump term, arguing transitions take years and can’t be forced overnight. Cuba Under Strain: A report on Havana describes a nation running short on fuel, with widespread closures and families struggling to get food as power and transport falter. International Solidarity Messaging: Multiple solidarity events and statements around Fidel’s centenary frame Cuba as a global anti-imperialism symbol amid tightening pressure.

Fidel Centenary Under Strain: Cuba marked Fidel Castro’s 100th birthday with exhibitions and conferences, but the celebrations land amid shortages of food and water and chronic power cuts, as many Cubans question whether the revolution’s promises still hold. US Pressure, Rubio’s Timeline: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Cuba will be on an “irreversible” path toward a “very different future” before Trump leaves office, arguing change can’t happen overnight and will require a transition. Currency Reality Check: In Cuba’s informal market, the dollar and euro closed lower while MLC rose, underscoring ongoing currency stress. Fuel Market Workarounds: Along Havana’s Vía Blanca, gasoline is being sold in one-liter bottles and through mixed legal/gray channels, reflecting how shortages keep pushing new coping schemes. Repression Case: A Cuban court confirmed that activist Anna Bensi and her mother will go on trial over recording and posting a MININT agent’s visit. Centenary + Energy Theft: Reports also point to blackouts and transformer-related thefts worsening daily life.

Cuba’s Fidel centenary under strain: As Cuba marks 100 years since Fidel Castro’s birth, the celebrations are colliding with one of the island’s worst crises—acute shortages, water problems, and chronic blackouts—leaving many Cubans questioning whether today’s leadership can handle the moment. Energy squeeze hits hard in Holguín: More than 20,000 people in Mayarí/Levisa are still without electricity after theft of transformer oil caused a total breakdown, with officials saying replacement parts are scarce. Blackouts and shortages deepen: Reports describe a worsening crisis of power and supplies, with Cuba facing another critical week of outages. International Book Fair opens in Havana: President Díaz-Canel attended the 34th Havana International Book Fair, running through Aug. 16, with Fidel’s centenary as a central theme and Russia listed as guest of honor. Namibia stands by Cuba: Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare told a Havana colloquium that Namibia won’t bow to pressure to distance itself from Cuba and urged the UN to push the US to lift the embargo. US fuel exception shows “capitalism cracks”: Reuters reports that US fuel sales to private Cuban businesses are reaching Havana through an exception, feeding a black-market resale system. Panama case drags on: Seven Panamanians detained in Cuba face nearly six months in confinement with unclear legal status, amid reports of frequent power outages. Fidel legacy politics abroad: A Washington Free Beacon report says California regulators ordered a Code Pink-linked nonprofit, Arc of Justice, to stop operations over missing filings and questions about $51 million in assets. Cuban-linked criminal network alleged: The New York Times reports on a transnational “Cuban mafia” in Quintana Roo tied to migrant trafficking and violence, including alleged links to Raúl Castro’s grandson.

US fuel exception sparks Cuba’s energy black market: Reuters reports that under Washington’s oil embargo, a Commerce Department carve-out letting US firms sell gasoline and diesel to private Cuban businesses is feeding a chaotic, state-controlled sector—fuel shows up via cramped apartment sales and social media ads, with some resold illegally as tankers avoid the risk. Fidel centenary propaganda ramps up despite crisis: Cuba opened the “Fidel: Legacy and Future” international colloquium in Havana with 1,500 delegates from 63 countries, while the regime faces rolling blackouts and deep economic strain. Havana crackdown on private payments: ONAT says several Centro Habana businesses were shut for refusing electronic transfers, treating it as tax evasion and warning private workers to comply. Energy and prices squeeze daily life: Songo-La Maya set reference prices for oil and eggs after food costs surged, while the informal currency market closed with the dollar down to 670 CUP and the euro down to 773 CUP. International solidarity continues: India-based groups delivered medicines to Cuban hospitals, tied to Fidel’s centenary events.

Cuba–Colombia Solidarity: Cuba’s foreign minister Bruno Rodríguez sent condolences to Colombia after a 7.4 earthquake in Chocó killed at least 111 and injured 87, offering help as rescue teams search collapsed buildings. Energy Crisis in Havana: Havana residents keep reporting long blackouts and broken infrastructure; one report describes 137 hours without power in Lawton and another details a gas-supply disruption leaving seven Havana municipalities without manufactured gas. U.S. Pressure and CIA Claims: Cuban President Díaz-Canel accused the U.S. of “psychological warfare” and said reports of expanded CIA activity are meant to destabilize Cuba, as Washington also highlights GAESA’s K Tower as a symbol of elite enrichment. Solar Push With China: Cuba expanded incentives for importing renewable equipment and received another 5,000 photovoltaic systems from China to ease the electricity crunch. Fidel Centenary Politics: Putin congratulated Raúl Castro on Fidel’s 100th birthday, while Cuba’s regime continues promoting Fidel-era figures and a possible transition narrative. Food Prices Spark Outrage: Cubans reacted to high prices for traditional sweets like guava paste, with posts blaming “Cubans taking advantage of Cubans” amid worsening affordability.