AGP Executive Report

Electricity Crisis: Cuba is bracing for another Sunday of long blackouts, with UNE warning up to 70% of the country could lose power during peak evening hours after a week marked by a double national collapse. Everyday Impact: In Camagüey, residents report more than 10 days without electricity after a transformer problem, while in Havana families describe blackouts as a daily grind—“turning off the Morro” no longer feels like a joke. Cost of Living: Inflation keeps biting: a Matanzas post showing a bar of guava candy priced at 600 CUP sparked outrage as Cubans compare prices to minimum wages. Sanctions & Health: A new report in The Lancet is cited to argue U.S./EU sanctions are deadlier for children than war, adding pressure to the ongoing debate over the blockade’s humanitarian toll. Diplomacy & Solidarity: Namibia’s PM Elijah Ngurare visited Havana to reaffirm cooperation and invite Cuban youth exchanges. Sports: Cuba closed Santo Domingo 2026 with 70 Pan Am spots and a third-place medal finish, but boxing’s men’s team failed to win a title.

Electricity Crisis in Havana: A 20-minute return of power has become a “small miracle” in Havana, sometimes hitting at 3 a.m., forcing families to cram cooking, washing, and cooling into minutes before the lights go out again. U.S. Sanctions Tighten: The State Department sanctioned five entities and eight senior Cuban officials tied to military cooperation and arms shipments, including Álvaro López Miera, as Washington presses for political change. Oil Blockade Fallout: Father Michael Lapsley urged Trump to end the blockade, saying fuel shortages are driving severe power cuts. Everyday Hardship: Cubans report electricity being cut off in La Lisa so it can be sold elsewhere, while others struggle to find basic medicines and face hospital pushback over urgent pediatric dialysis needs. Security and Violence: A knife robbery at a maternity home in Santiago de Cuba sparked outrage over hospital security, and in Miami a random sucker-punch attack led to arrests and felony charges. Politics and Pressure: The NYT reports the Trump administration is searching for a Cuban insider who could lead a post-Havana political shift toward Washington.

Renewable Energy Push: Cuba approved new renewable-energy rules, keeping customs-tax exemptions for solar and other clean-energy equipment through Dec. 2027, aiming to ease the tax burden on investors and speed imports. Energy Crisis Forecast: Cuba’s Electric Union warned of another “darkest night” risk, projecting a peak shortfall of 2,280 MW with only about 1,050 MW available. U.S. Pressure and Transition Talk: The New York Times reports Washington is seeking a “Venezuela-style” path in Cuba—looking for a Cuban leader who could shift Havana’s course—while intelligence officials reportedly see Cuba as more like Iran than Venezuela. Sanctions Hit Trade: A report says CIA and U.S. efforts are expanding around Cuba, including a Cuba-focused task force, as Washington tightens the economic chokehold. Solidarity and Fidel Centenary: Communist and workers’ parties met in Havana, with Uruguay’s PCU calling Cuba “world champion of solidarity,” while Cuba’s mass organizations and youth groups marked Fidel’s centenary with events and awards. Local Life Under Strain: A Havana used-phone buyer says police couldn’t process her complaint due to “no power or system,” and Matanzas reported missing bridge railings amid vandalism concerns.

Cuba Energy Crisis: Life in Havana is being organized around tiny bursts of electricity—sometimes just minutes, sometimes at 3 a.m.—as blackouts stretch for days and families scramble to cook, wash, and cool down. U.S. Pressure and Humanitarian Fallout: Cuba’s UN envoy says the latest humanitarian crisis is driven by Trump’s executive order and fuel shortages, arguing U.S. sanctions block companies from selling fuel and amount to collective punishment. Sanctions Escalation: The U.S. announced new sanctions targeting Cuban military-linked entities and officials, while UN human rights experts warn of a “silent Gaza” dynamic as food and basic survival needs are squeezed. Local Cost Controls: Villa Clara set maximum prices for essentials like eggs and cooking oil, but the move lands amid skepticism that “words” will match enforcement. Cuba’s Private-Sector Opening: Cuba’s government says it’s expanding private activity—banking, pharmacies, gas stations, elder-care, and even legal and architecture services—under state watch. Colombia Shift to the Right: Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as Colombia’s president in Cali, pledging a hard line on armed groups and a tougher stance that signals closer alignment with Washington.

Cuba Sanctions Escalate: The U.S. imposed new sanctions on five Cuban entities and eight individuals tied to weapons procurement and military cooperation with Russia and China, naming figures including Defense Minister Álvaro López Miera and General Staff chief Roberto Legrá Sotolongo; Havana called the move hostile. Blackouts and Daily Life: As power failures drag on, Cubans are again dealing with life in the dark—small bursts of electricity, disrupted routines, and mounting frustration. Humanitarian and Safety on the Ground: Cuban authorities completed rescue work after an abandoned school collapse in Villa Clara killed two and injured one, with investigators saying the building had been unsafe for years. Diplomacy and Messaging: Cuba’s Deputy Foreign Minister pushed back on U.S. claims that Cuba is a threat, pointing to U.S. military and intelligence reach and citing CIA-era actions against the island. Sports Spotlight: Cuba’s women’s handball team retained its Santo Domingo title, while Cuba’s broader medal push continues to shape the island’s sports narrative.

Blackout Reality in Havana: After dayslong power failures, Cubans are learning to live by brief bursts of electricity—sometimes at 3 a.m.—with families cooking, cooling off, and scrambling to survive the heat whenever the lights return. U.S. Sanctions Under Fire: UN human rights experts condemned new U.S. sanctions on Cuba, saying they aim to coerce change and risk a “silent Gaza,” as fuel shortages and nationwide blackouts deepen. More Pressure on Cuba’s Military: The U.S. imposed fresh sanctions on Cuban military officials and entities tied to weapons procurement, adding to the squeeze on energy and basic services. Community Pushback Against Power Cuts: In Marianao, residents blocked an Electric Company crew over alleged missing paperwork, demanding work orders and highlighting growing distrust as outages drag on. Currency Strain, Everyday Costs: A doctor’s market trip showed how $100 can evaporate fast in Cuba, while the informal dollar rate stayed around 673 pesos—stability that still doesn’t stop prices from crushing budgets. U.S. Intelligence Moves: Reports say the CIA has expanded operations and presence on Cuba, as Washington escalates rhetoric about threats from Havana.

US-Cuba Sanctions Escalate: Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new U.S. sanctions on five Cuban entities and eight officials tied to Cuba’s military procurement and foreign weapons relationships, warning that anyone supporting the targeted actors could face penalties. Humanitarian Warning: UN experts say the sanctions are worsening Cuba’s crisis and could push the country toward a “silent Gaza,” as energy shortages hit health, food, and basic services. Power Crisis on the Ground: Cuba’s grid failures continue to disrupt daily life, with reports of long outages and ongoing skepticism about restoration efforts. Energy for Care: Holguín received 10 electric vehicles to transport kidney patients to hemodialysis, aiming to keep treatment on schedule despite the energy squeeze. Central Cuba Collapse: Two people died and another was injured after part of an abandoned school structure collapsed in Remedios, triggering a large rescue response. Water Shortage Testimony: A Guantánamo mother says her family has gone weeks without water, worsening her daughter’s chronic skin condition. Culture & Memory: A Fidel Castro centenary story recalls a personal phone call to a journalist’s daughter during cancer surgery, showing the leader’s “human side.” Cuban Sports: Cuba won gold in men’s 1000m canoeing at Santo Domingo 2026, adding to its medal haul.

US-Cuba Pressure Campaign: The New York Times says the CIA has quietly created a new Cuba task force, adding cyber and covert influence staff and aiming to split Cuba’s political elite as Washington escalates pressure. Economic Openness to the Trump Brand: Havana signals it could entertain a Trump-named luxury resort on Cayo Santa María, a sharp shift as US sanctions drive foreign firms to exit. Power, Prices, and Daily Strain: With blackouts still roiling life on the island, 14ymedio reports a liter of sunflower oil selling for 4,500 pesos—over two months of minimum wages—showing how shortages and speculation hit basics hardest. Repression on the Anniversary: 14ymedio says State Security surveilled Yoani Sánchez and others in Havana around the Maleconazo anniversary, while Cubalex denounces alleged abuse of a detained minor in Morón. Human Rights and Detention: A Cuban lawyer tied to the regime’s institutions is reported in ICE custody in Florida, awaiting possible deportation.

Cuba’s energy crisis: The island is still reeling after another nationwide blackout, with officials and the UNE pointing to grid damage and restoration work while Cuba’s foreign minister blames the U.S. blockade and energy embargo. Economic overhaul in motion: Cuba’s Official Gazette published new MINCIN rules for wholesale reorganization and the rollout of “neighborhood markets,” including tax discounts and a list of basic goods, as the state tries to loosen shortages and bring in private operators. Food shortages hit hard: Guantánamo farmers say tons of mangos are rotting because state collection systems lack fuel and transport. Hunger strike spotlight: Independent journalist Guillermo del Sol reached 49 days without solid food, warning “I don’t want to die,” as his health deteriorates. Public safety messaging: Havana officials posted images of suspected thieves at a weekly fair, pushing a “streets belong to the people” line amid rising theft reports. International solidarity: Hundreds of young Italians in Campania reaffirmed support for Cuba and rejected U.S. policy during a youth solidarity event.

Electricity Crisis in Cuba: Cuba’s grid was reconnected after a 36-hour nationwide blackout, but UNE and residents say power is still spotty and blackouts are becoming “the new normal,” with the latest collapse blamed on system failures during restoration efforts. Power Grid Restoration vs. Daily Life: Reports describe Havana still only partially powered, with hospitals and water pumping systems hit, while the U.S. Embassy warns travelers of widespread outages and communication disruptions. Regime Tensions Over Reforms: Inside the Cuban leadership, discontent is surfacing over the 176 economic measures and the growing prominence of “El Cangrejo” (Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro), with some warning reforms could mean a harder turn toward capitalism. Cuba’s Economic Rules Under Strain: A new report highlights how cash-payment limits and banking requirements in the Mariel free trade zone are being widely ignored, undermining the push to reduce cash. Food and Diplomacy: Vietnam handed over its first Cuba-grown rice shipment under a joint project, as Cuba continues seeking partnerships amid shortages.

Power Crisis in Cuba: Cuba’s grid collapsed again late Sunday (Aug. 2, 10:43 p.m. EST), triggering the sixth nationwide blackout of 2026 and knocking out cell and internet service. The U.S. Embassy in Havana issued a security alert telling Americans to expect extended disruptions, charge devices, stock water and nonperishables, and plan for medication that needs refrigeration. Grid Recovery Update: UNE says the system is being reconnected province by province; Santiago de Cuba was brought back after nearly two days, while work continues to sync remaining areas after storms and frequency oscillations derailed restoration. Human Cost of the Blackouts: Cubans describe exhaustion and anxiety as outages stop water pumps and buses vanish; one Havana resident slept on the Malecón during the latest blackout. Local Impact Stories: A Havana bakery lost 15,000 pesos and production after power cuts; a Varadero visitor said prices feel like “you left Cuba,” highlighting the gap between salaries and costs. U.S.-Cuba Pressure: A report says the Trump administration expanded intelligence activity in Cuba, while the embassy’s alert underscores how the energy crisis is worsening daily life.

Cuba Power Crisis: Cuba’s national grid collapsed again Monday, the sixth islandwide blackout of 2026, as authorities tried to restore service after Sunday’s outage; officials blamed “oscillations” and bad weather that disrupted the system during restart efforts, leaving much of Havana and other provinces with power only intermittently. Human Impact: With heat and darkness returning fast, residents reported sleeping outdoors along the Malecón and struggling to keep water and basic services running. U.S. Response: The U.S. State Department said the humanitarian crisis is driven by the Cuban regime while stressing embargo exceptions, and the U.S. Embassy urged Americans to prepare for major disruptions. Regional Politics & Migration: Two Venezuelans were detained in Mexico after a disturbance at an immigration station holding 40 Cubans, with deportation processing underway amid allegations of extortion. Energy Transition: IRENA opened a funding call for renewable projects across Central America and the Caribbean, including Cuba. Culture: Beloved Cuban TV actress Paula Alí died at 88.

Blackout Crisis: Cuba’s grid collapsed again Sunday, triggering the sixth nationwide blackout of 2026; Havana residents slept on the Malecón and outside their buildings as power stayed scarce while water and basic services faltered. Energy & Prices: With fuel shortages tied to the U.S. oil blockade, Cubans also reported extreme food costs during outages, including cooking oil priced around 4,000 pesos per liter. Mobile Network Hit: ETECSA said cellular service disruptions followed a generator failure at a key mobile backup center, affecting nationwide phone prefixes. Legal Pressure on the Regime: A London court ordered Cuba’s National Bank to pay about $24 million more in damages to CRF I Limited, adding to years of debt litigation. Cultural Loss: Cuba mourned beloved actress Paula Alí, 90, with tributes pouring in from actors and institutions. Migration Shift: With U.S. routes tightening, more Cubans are seeking asylum in Brazil, where applications hit record levels.

National Grid Crisis: Cuba plunged into another nationwide blackout Sunday after the state utility UNE reported a “total disconnection” of the national electricity system, leaving about 10 million people—including Havana—in the dark; it follows a blackout in the west just 24 hours earlier and comes amid fuel shortages and an aging grid. Daily Life Under Strain: Residents report water disruptions and heat stress as electricity vanishes, with frustration spilling into pot-banging and trash fires while authorities say emergency protocols are underway. Fuel Blockade Pressure: Multiple reports tie the repeated collapses to the U.S. oil blockade and the loss of key fuel supply routes, leaving power plants unable to run reliably. Policy Response: Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz has pointed to gradual reforms, including limited openings for fuel imports and private participation in sectors like tourism, as the country tries to stabilize. U.S. Visa Moves: Separately, the U.S. made its refundable visa bond program permanent for travelers from 50 countries, including Cuba, with bonds up to $20,000 for certain visa categories. U.S.-Cuba Tensions: Marco Rubio renewed claims that Cuba runs influence operations inside the U.S., calling Havana an “espionage superpower.”

Grid Crisis in the West: Cuba’s UNE says power has returned to Havana and western provinces after a partial SEN collapse, but the outage left five provinces dark for much of the night and Cubans report lingering cuts even after reconnection. Food System Strain: A new Food Monitor Program report argues Cuba’s food crisis isn’t just empty shelves—it’s a “broken chain” from farm to delivery, with most households reporting access problems and steep price hikes. Humanitarian Pressure: A Basque solidarity drive raised €12,332 to electrify Havana’s William Soler pediatric hospital, while a Holguín family begs for help to buy chemotherapy vials as treatment delays grow dangerous. Public Anger, Public Life: A Havana woman’s viral video denounces days without water, electricity, and food, and a playwright’s “aqueduct” parody captures the same frustration. U.S.-Cuba Tensions: Secretary of State Marco Rubio escalates claims of Cuban espionage and influence in the U.S., while Cuba’s vice-chancellor fires back that Washington’s “lies” mask an American internal crisis. Sports & Culture: Cuba’s wrestling surge lifts it to third in the medal table, and the island mourns theater figure Osvaldo Manuel Pérez Peñalver.

Power Crisis in Cuba: Cuba’s grid failure plunged Havana and western provinces into darkness again after a “partial collapse” split the National Electric System, leaving Pinar del Río, Artemisa, Mayabeque, Havana and Matanzas without service; UNE says restoration is underway and hospitals and key water pumping circuits were prioritized as Unit 3 at the Antonio Maceo Thermal Power Plant came back online. Political Prisoners and Protests: Cuba’s Supreme Court upheld six-year prison sentences for independent journalist José Gabriel Barrenechea Chávez and also confirmed other long terms tied to a 2024 protest against power outages. Health Under Strain: Yoani Sánchez describes a worsening health crisis in Havana—caught between blackouts, mosquitoes, and an empty medicine cabinet with no thermometer or key supplies. U.S.-Cuba Tensions: Secretary of State Marco Rubio renewed claims that Cuba runs espionage and influence operations inside the U.S., while also warning that Cuban-linked networks exploit U.S. political divisions. U.S. Visa Bonds: The U.S. made its visa bond program permanent for 50 countries, with deposits up to $20,000 for B1/B2 applicants, including Cuba. Regional Politics: Colombia’s outgoing President Gustavo Petro urged international solidarity to avert what he warned could be a U.S. invasion of Cuba.