AGP Executive Report

Medical Transport Upgrade in Guantánamo: 20 electric vehicles are now providing free rides for 124 hemodialysis patients, with plans to shift charging to solar power as Cuba marks Fidel Castro’s centenary. Diplomacy & Travel Access: Panama extended transit visas for Cubans through Tocumen until 2029, with limited stays in the airport transit zone and specific exemptions. Cuba–Caribbean Solidarity: The U.S. embassy’s Mike Hammer met the Bahamas ambassador in Havana to discuss Cuba and shared Caribbean interests, as regional ties remain strained. Humanitarian Aid: Pakistan began delivering medicines and supplies to Cuba via its embassy campaign, citing shortages tied to the U.S. blockade. Economy & Daily Costs: A new calculation says a child’s breakfast and snack for a month can exceed 10,000 pesos, highlighting school-year pressure on families. Sports: Cuba finished sixth in the Men’s Pan American Volleyball Cup after another five-set loss to the Dominican Republic. Culture & Books: Guantánamo’s El Mar y La Montaña won a major prize at the Havana International Book Fair for a science-fiction title for young readers.

Fidel Castro Centenary & Propaganda Backlash: Cuba marked Fidel Castro’s 100th birthday amid deepening hardship, including the inauguration of a “13 de Agosto” kindergarten in Camagüey—while in Holguín, a billboard of Castro was smeared with red paint, reflecting anger and distrust. Energy Crisis Reality Check: The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas announced it was back online generating 190 MW, but Cubans responded with skepticism, pointing to frequent outages and the sense that power cuts keep returning. Human Cost of the Blockade: A new report revisits six months of U.S. oil blockade pressure, arguing it has worsened daily life—darker homes, stalled transport, and disrupted hospitals—while Cuba pushes for a recovery path. Opposition Activist Murder: Opposition activist Diosbel Véliz Marín was stabbed to death in Havana, with family and activists calling for a serious, transparent investigation. Sports & Culture: Cuban-born Andy Díaz won European triple-jump gold in Birmingham with a historic 18.15m; in Havana, “El Proyecto” is carving out a resistance-minded cultural refuge as outages grind on. Weather Watch: Cuba’s meteorology institute warns El Niño could bring hotter conditions, drought, and cyclone risks. U.S. Immigration Case: A Cuban national in Florida pleaded guilty in a migrant smuggling and ESTA/visa fraud scheme tied to helping Cubans enter the U.S. illegally.

Fidel Castro Centenary Coverage: Camagüey marks Fidel’s 100th with a poetry book, “On His Shoulders, the Dawn,” tying his legacy to collective memory through 29 authors. Diplomacy & Sanctions: Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel says Havana is willing to talk with the U.S. “without pressure,” while U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent again frames Cuba as a long-lasting target of economic isolation. Energy Crisis in Cuba: Cárdenas takes another hit as the Smith Comas substation is knocked out by lightning, worsening power and water supply problems. Local Accountability: In Holguín, residents demand answers after the “Woman with Parasol” sculpture collapsed and remains unrestored; in Las Tunas, a toppled Antonio Maceo bust will be restored but no suspects have been publicly named. Economy & Daily Life: Economist Pedro Monreal warns Cuba’s 176 economic measures lack a macroeconomic stabilization anchor, while Cubans keep reporting banking failures that leave money unable to buy food. Diaspora: A Cuban diaspora meeting in France (Oct. 23–24) will gather Europeans to discuss reforms, culture, and ties with the island. Crime & Security: CARICOM’s Operation Eclipse seized about $54.5M in Caribbean smuggling assets.

Fidel Castro centenary and Cuba’s direction: Cuba marks Fidel Castro’s 100th birthday as President Díaz-Canel signals “urgent” economic changes, while critics say the revolution’s legacy is being tested by blackouts, shortages, and public anger. Public mood and reforms: A Cuban Observatory of Human Rights survey says 95% disapprove of government management and 84% distrust recent economic measures. Food and energy squeeze: Families report new daily hardships—from queues for cooking oil and pork fat to the state effectively leaving school-uniform costs to private makers. Local breakdowns: Camagüey residents say sewage has overflowed in streets for four years, with water and sanitation problems repeating after rains. Diplomacy shock: Cuba’s diplomats in the Dominican Republic begin packing after an order to leave, with at least nine officials affected. Opposition prisoner freed: Fernando Michael Bárzaga, jailed for 11J protests, is released after serving his sentence, vowing to keep fighting. U.S. pressure focus: Reporting says Washington’s Cuba strategy is shifting toward tighter sanctions and cutting regime revenue rather than military action.

Diplomacy Clash in the Dominican Republic: Dominican and Cuban officials are trading blame after Santo Domingo ordered nine Cuban diplomats and their families to leave, with local political and grassroots groups calling a protest outside the Foreign Ministry. US Pressure on Cuba: Cuba’s foreign minister again denounced Washington’s “maximum pressure” and sanctions, while Cuba’s prime minister marked Fidel Castro’s centenary with the slogan “Fidel lives in every place where truth and justice are defended.” Food and Energy Strain: Cuba continues to face shortages and outages, from a viral “what $15 buys” grocery list to reports of neighborhoods waking up without water, power, phones, or TV, plus transformer explosions blamed on poor repairs. Local Price Controls: Holguín’s municipal authorities moved to cap profit margins and regulate key staples like cooking oil to curb speculation. International Aid: Cuba thanked China for a new rice shipment—15,000 tons in this batch—amid the island’s food crisis. Sports: Cuba’s volleyball team lost a quarterfinal and will play for fifth place; Cuban closer Raidel Martínez notched another save in Japan.

Fidel Castro Centenary in Havana: Cuba marked Fidel’s 100th birthday with a major cultural event in the Karl Marx Theater, attended by Raúl Castro, Díaz-Canel and family, as officials doubled down on the “lives forever” message while the island’s crisis deepens. US Pressure Shift: A new report says Washington is leaning harder on sanctions and economic pressure instead of military options, aiming to cut off regime revenue and create internal fractures. Power Crisis at Home: Residents in Alamar report months of frequent, brief outages that disrupt appliances and water pumps, while Cuba’s grid forecasts a massive peak deficit. Energy Workarounds: Villa Clara opened two new solar “solineras” to let neighbors charge devices during blackouts. Food Strain: Cuban leaders again urged higher food production in Havana’s defense zones as the agricultural crisis worsens; meanwhile, outrage grows over egg prices in Las Tunas. Repression and Trial: Influencer Anna Bensi and her mother face criminal proceedings tied to a video they posted, amid claims of surveillance and internet cuts. International Solidarity: Namibia’s president renewed calls for the unconditional lifting of the US embargo, citing UN principles and Cuba’s role in African liberation. Sports & Money: Camagüey’s Toros are offering some players $800 a month plus bonuses, highlighting how pay gaps shape Cuban athletes’ careers.

Diplomatic Spat: Cuba says the Dominican Republic is bowing to U.S. pressure after Santo Domingo ordered nine Cuban embassy officials and their families to leave, while Havana rejects the move as unjustified. U.S. Pressure on Cuba: U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth says “all options” are on the table regarding Cuba, even as a report says Washington is putting a military option on hold and leaning more on economic pressure. Humanitarian Fallout: A UN official warns sanctions “overcompliance” is delaying or rerouting aid, leaving hospitals short on cancer drugs and water-treatment equipment. Power Crisis in Cuba: Blackouts are pushing more Cubans to rooftops and public spaces to sleep, as the fuel embargo worsens outages and water cuts. Migration & Crime: In Florida, police detained 10 migrants after a boat landing; separately, a Cuban national pleaded guilty in an alien smuggling and money laundering case. Culture & Life Events: At the Havana Book Fair, José Javier Sánchez presented poems on memory and language; in Holguín, Lenin Hospital registered the first birth of the day—timed to Fidel Castro’s centenary.

Fidel Castro at 100: Cuba marked the centenary of Fidel Castro’s birth with rallies, exhibitions and concerts, but the celebrations unfolded amid severe shortages and rolling blackouts, with supporters praising his legacy while critics question whether his successors can deliver on the revolution’s promises. Diplomatic Fallout: Cuba condemned the Dominican Republic’s expulsion of nine (reported as ten) Cuban diplomats and their families, saying Santo Domingo is bowing to U.S. pressure; the Dominican side cited Vienna Convention powers without details. Energy Crisis Spotlight: Coverage tied the centenary to Cuba’s deepening power squeeze and U.S. energy pressure, while China-backed aid continued, including a third shipment of 15,000 tons of rice and solar equipment donations. U.S.-Cuba Legal Pressure: A separate report highlighted the case of Cuban MMA fighter “Spiderman” Javier Martín Gutiérrez, arrested for speaking publicly and still held pretrial. U.S. Deportation Case: The NYT reported a Cuban deportee held in Eswatini for over a year without charges, underscoring a controversial U.S. deportation approach.

Fidel Castro at 100: Cuba marked Fidel Castro’s centenary amid a deepening crisis, with major events in Havana and across the island, including a public appearance by indicted former leader Raúl Castro for the first time in months. Poverty and shortages: A new study says extreme poverty affects 94% of Cubans and most households report skipping meals, while 95% disapprove of the government’s economic and social management. U.S. pressure and military talk: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth again said “all options are on the table” regarding Cuba, as Washington tightens sanctions and keeps pushing for political change. Energy lifeline: China delivered another 5,000 solar systems to Cuba, feeding rural and public services as blackouts and shortages continue. Diplomatic fallout: The Dominican Republic ordered nine Cuban diplomats and relatives to leave within seven days. Security and power: Cuba’s foreign minister rejected a NYT claim linking Raúl Castro’s grandson to trafficking, while Cuba continues to face allegations and heightened scrutiny.

Fidel Castro Centenary: Cuba marked Fidel Castro’s 100th birthday with major cultural events, but the mood is split: supporters praise his legacy, while critics point to today’s deep economic and energy crisis amid a tightening U.S. fuel blockade. Security Crackdown in Havana: A large military deployment in Guanabacoa has residents worried it’s meant to repress protests over blackouts and robberies. Political Prisoners Record: Prisoners Defenders says Cuba hit a new high in political detentions in July, including a 13-year-old reportedly beaten and jailed after blackout-era protests. U.S. Pressure and Transition Talk: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Cuba will move toward an “irreversible” change during the Trump term, comparing it to Eastern Europe’s multi-year transition. Guanabacoa Attacks Probe: Military personnel were deployed to locations identified as sites of attacks on motorcyclists. Sports Defections: Three Cuban athletes reportedly defected during the Central American Games in Santo Domingo. South Africa Sanctions Debate: South African parties back Cuba’s call to mobilize against U.S.-imposed sanctions, while the DA criticizes the meeting as too political. U.S. Court Case in Miami: A Cuban national was convicted for fraudulently obtaining U.S. citizenship by hiding involvement in a $4.6M healthcare scheme.

Cuba Energy Crisis: Cuba’s power squeeze is hitting daily life hard as fuel shortages deepen outages, with Havana residents describing closed shops and families struggling to eat. Renewables Push: In Holguín, the Los Cocos solar park is feeding the grid with multi-megawatt output and battery storage, while Villa Clara has inaugurated Cuba’s first fast/ultra-fast solar EV charging station. Fidel Centenary & Diplomacy: Cuba marks Fidel Castro’s 100th with international events, including a major Havana colloquium and tributes abroad, as China and other partners signal support amid the U.S. pressure. U.S.-Cuba Politics: Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Cuba is headed for “irreversible” change before Trump leaves office, while also announcing a “birth tourism” crackdown aimed at visa fraud networks. Humanitarian & Solidarity: A Miami livestream benefit concert will raise funds for earthquake relief in Venezuela and Colombia, with proceeds supporting rebuilding and mental health. Sports & Culture: Holguín athletes return from Santo Domingo with 16 medals, and Cuban baseball pitcher Liván “Moinelo” makes a strong return in Japan.

Fidel Castro Centenary: Cuba marked Fidel Castro’s 100th birthday with exhibitions and events, 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. U.S. Cuba Policy: Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Cuba will be on an “irreversible” path toward a “very different future” before Trump’s term ends, arguing change will take years, not overnight. Energy & Daily Survival: In Havana, residents describe how illness and long blackouts deepen the crisis, while along the Vía Blanca fuel stalls selling gasoline in one-liter bottles are popping up—showing how informal markets keep moving even as official rules blur. Currency Watch: The informal market closes with the dollar and euro down versus the previous session, while MLC rises—another sign of shifting prices in a strained economy. Legal Pressure & Repression: A Cuban court confirmed trial for Anna Bensi and her mother over recording a MININT agent visit, framing it as a privacy-related offense. Regional Note: Nicaragua announced a Fidel Castro monument for his centenary, while Vietnam pledged major aid to Cuba.

U.S.-Fuel Exception: A Reuters report says U.S. fuel sales to private Cuban businesses are creating “capitalist cracks” in Cuba’s energy system, with gasoline and diesel appearing via a Commerce Department exception while shortages and blackouts keep pushing a black-market resale. Energy Crisis: The same coverage ties the limited landings to efforts to blunt rolling outages that are also hitting transport and water distribution. Diplomacy & Solidarity: Namibia’s PM Elijah Ngurare rejected pressure to distance from Cuba, citing Cuba’s role in Namibia’s liberation and calling for the UN to push the U.S. to lift the embargo. Culture & Ideas: Cuba’s President Díaz-Canel opened the 34th Havana International Book Fair, spotlighting Fidel’s centenary and a Russian guest-of-honor program running through August 16. Human Rights Pressure: The UN warns Cuba risks becoming a “silent Gaza” amid the deepening humanitarian impact of U.S. sanctions. Local Hardship: Inspectors fined a small Havana-area entrepreneur and his retired worker 48,000 pesos over contract rules, underscoring how enforcement adds to daily strain.

US Visa Crackdown: The State Department says it revoked more than 175,000 visas under Trump, citing crimes, fraud, visa violations, and threats to public safety—plus cases tied to “birth tourism.” Cuba Energy Crisis: Cuba’s power cuts keep dragging on, with reports of long blackouts and neighborhoods left waiting for electricity in bursts. Regime vs. Reality: Díaz-Canel doubled down on the idea of “resistance” under Communist Party leadership, while Cubans push back that survival isn’t proof of political support. Local Economy Pressure: Cuba’s informal currency market closed with the dollar down and the euro weaker, while some towns moved to set reference prices for staples like cooking oil and eggs. Culture in Havana: Cuba opened the Havana International Book Fair and a Fidel-focused colloquium, even as the island faces its worst economic strain. Humanitarian Solidarity: Friends from India and other groups donated medicines to Cuban hospitals amid the crisis.

U.S.-Cuba Tensions: Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel accused Washington of “psychological warfare,” linking reports of expanded CIA activity to efforts to destabilize Cuba. Sanctions & Pressure: The U.S. also announced new visa revocations—over 175,000—citing alleged crimes and visa violations, as Cuba and allies denounce the broader crackdown. China Energy Push: Cuba expanded incentives for renewable imports as China delivered 5,000 photovoltaic systems, aiming to ease the electricity crisis. Diplomacy: China urged the U.S. to stop “slandering” ties with Cuba and called for lifting sanctions and the blockade. Humanitarian & Solidarity: Cuba offered condolences and assistance to Colombia after a 7.4 earthquake in Chocó, while ALBA delegates delivered cancer medicines to Cuba’s oncology hospital. Culture & History: Cuba opened an international colloquium on Fidel Castro’s legacy and future, and a Baracoa workshop highlighted the town’s history and Fidel’s 1959 visit.

Energy Crisis & Solar Aid: Cuba’s President Díaz-Canel thanked China for a second donation of 5,000 photovoltaic systems, aimed at rural homes, health centers, children’s circles, and bank branches as blackouts worsen. U.S. Pressure & Diplomacy: U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal urged “real negotiations” and “deep diplomacy” with Havana after seeing shortages firsthand, while Marco Rubio’s pressure strategy continues to spark backlash. Currency Watch: The informal market closed with the dollar steady at 673 CUP, while the euro fell to 778 CUP and the MLC declined. Health System Response: Villa Clara’s blood bank says it has emergency supplies despite social media claims of shortages. Local Life & Safety: A young man in critical condition after a motorcycle crash on the Ciudamar road in Santiago de Cuba. Sports & Culture: Dayramir González brings Afro-Cuban jazz piano to Lou Lou’s Jungle Room in Austin, and Cuba’s Luis Robert Jr. powered a big Mets win with a home run and four RBIs.