AGP Executive Report

Peru Politics: Keiko Fujimori was sworn in as Peru’s president, promising a “safe, prosperous, and united” country and extending a broader rightward shift in Latin America. Cuba-US Tensions: A U.S. State Department report singles out Cuba solidarity groups, naming Jeremy Corbyn and the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, and portrays friendship networks as subversion. Cuba Economy & Energy: Cuba’s tourism sector says hotels remain open and operating normally even as some international chains pull back, while the island continues to battle daily water and power shortages. Cuba Justice: A suspect in the shooting of Cuban rapper El Taiger rejected a plea deal, pushing the murder trial to 2027. Cuba Solidarity: Cuban rescue and medical teams returned from Venezuela after earthquake support, part of the Henry Reeve contingent. Sports: Cuba won judo gold in Santo Domingo 2026, adding to its medal haul.

Diplomatic Shake-Up: Colombia’s president-elect says his government will close at least 14 embassies, including the mission in Cuba, as part of a wider diplomatic overhaul. Energy Crisis & Protest Pressure: Old Havana saw loud pot-banging during a blackout, with the Electric Union citing a major nighttime electricity deficit and service disruptions tied to the Moncada anniversary. Moncada Anniversary Without Raúl Castro: Cuba held its July 26 rally in Pinar del Río with Díaz-Canel reading Castro’s message, but Raúl Castro was absent for the first time in decades. Sports Spotlight (Santo Domingo 2026): Cuba added medals in judo and rowing, including Iván Silva’s 100kg gold and Andy Granda’s +100kg golden double. Legal/Property Fight: A U.S. appeals court upheld dismissal of a lawsuit by Cuban heirs seeking compensation over a confiscated tobacco factory, ruling the case lacked jurisdiction over foreign companies. Human Stories: A Havana bicycle taxi driver went viral for charging elderly and low-income riders only what they can afford.

Cuba-U.S. Tensions: President Miguel Díaz-Canel used the Moncada anniversary in Pinar del Río to accuse Washington of “Nazi practices” and “political genocide,” saying new sanctions target Cuba’s public health and medical brigades. Electricity Crisis: Cuba continues to face severe power shortages and blackouts amid a widening grid deficit, with social media mocking the regime’s messaging ahead of July 26. Diplomacy Shock: Colombia’s president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella vowed to cut ties with Cuba and Nicaragua and close multiple embassies/consulates after taking office. Human Rights & Prison: A Cuban artist and activist, Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, was released from Guanajay prison and sent into U.S. exile, while commentary again highlighted the harsh, arbitrary conditions inside Cuban prisons. Migration & Enforcement: ICE arrested a Cuban man in Kentucky after a long deportation process tied to a 20-year prison sentence for stabbing his girlfriend. Sports: Cuba added medals at the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, including gold in rowing and judo-related coverage across the region.

U.S.-Cuba Tensions: Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel marked July 26 by accusing Washington of trying to “take over” the island, calling the blockade “political genocide” and blaming sanctions for blackouts and a deepening health crisis. Diplomacy Shock in the Region: Colombia’s president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella says his government will sever ties with Cuba and Nicaragua on Aug. 7 and close multiple missions, signaling a tougher foreign-policy line backed by the U.S. Tourism Blow to Havana: Spanish hotel giant Meliá has fully withdrawn from Cuba after U.S. sanctions targeted Ceiba Investments, forcing changes to management of five state-linked hotels. Sports & Culture: Cuba’s delegation sits third at Santo Domingo 2026 after adding gold in rowing and judo; meanwhile, Cuban activist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara attended Daymé Arocena’s Miami concert, underscoring cultural ties beyond the island. Everyday Strain: Reports highlight the informal market’s currency swings and rising costs for basics like cooking fuel, rice, beans, and oil.

Moncada Anniversary, Raúl Castro Absent: Cuba marked July 26 with a rally in Pinar del Río, but former president Raúl Castro skipped the event for the first time in decades; Díaz-Canel read Castro’s message and used the moment to attack a new U.S. State Department report and Washington’s pressure. Power Crisis Deepens: The Electric Union warned of a major peak-hour shortfall for July 26 as the Antonio Guiteras plant went offline again early Sunday due to a leak, piling onto widespread outages and a growing 2,000+ MW deficit. Protests and “Pot-Banging” Pressure: Activists say Havana neighborhoods were suddenly lit to defuse planned cacerolazo protests, but demonstrations still erupted in multiple cities. Humanitarian Aid Under Fire: Church groups in Bejucal faced graffiti accusing priests of mishandling U.S. aid; a priest responded that distribution is based on need and logistics. Defection Fallout in Santo Domingo: A Cuban goalkeeper who left the delegation says he had state support, while his family later pleaded for help, claiming he has no passport. Caritas Disaster Aid: Caritas Cuba expanded Hurricane Melissa relief in eastern provinces, with thousands of families receiving support. U.S. Denaturalization Push: The Trump administration escalated denaturalization efforts, including a Cuban American case tied to alleged Medicare fraud. Digital Diplomacy: Díaz-Canel swore in 26 new ambassadors, stressing sovereignty and defending Cuba’s principles abroad.

Electricity Crisis in Havana: State TV says Havana is averaging about 25 damaged single-phase transformers per day, with some days topping 60, as the grid struggles after long blackouts and “load coincidence” overloads. Power Returns, Activists Push Back: Activist Leonardo Romero Negrín says the second day of electricity in Havana is a concession won through organized pressure, urging residents to keep pot-banging because darkness can return. Moncada Anniversary Under Pressure: Ahead of July 26, President Díaz-Canel called U.S. “maximum pressure” a “sadistic” collective punishment, pointing to worsening health indicators while meeting foreign sympathizers in Pinar del Río. US Tightens Squeeze, Cuba Turns to India: Cuba’s ambassador says Havana wants deeper cooperation with India in health, biotech, renewables, and digital tech, blaming sanctions for mounting economic strain. Illegal Demolition Fallout: Two men were rescued after a building collapse in Colón, Matanzas, tied to unauthorized demolition actions. Humanitarian Aid Arrives: The EZLN-linked sailboat Astral brought a small Lacandona boat carrying solar equipment and medicine, with Open Arms also landing support. Informal Market Rates: The dollar closed Saturday at 674 CUP and the euro at 785 CUP, both stable day-to-day.

US-Cuba Tensions: A new State Department report attacking Cuba’s alleged influence in the US is drawing sharp backlash from lawmakers, with critics warning it could be used to justify tougher action. Energy Crisis in Cuba: Activists say Havana’s pot-banging protests coincided with sudden, simultaneous electricity returning to multiple neighborhoods—then fading—while the broader blackout crisis continues. Health Under Pressure: Cuba’s health minister told BRICS the system is collapsing under the US “blockade,” citing long surgical waits and rising infant mortality. Humanitarian Aid: Caritas began distributing the first US humanitarian boxes near Havana, with food and hygiene kits aimed at vulnerable families. Cuban Politics & Law: The National Assembly held a virtual session analyzing draft laws including labor, housing, and land rules. Sports: Marlies Mejías won Cuba’s first gold at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, and Cuba Gooding Jr. is set to star in the film “Lotus” directed by Pedring Lopez.

U.S.-Cuba Tensions: A new State Department report accuses Cuba of infiltrating top levels of the U.S. government and backing left-wing groups and campus unrest, naming organizations such as DSA and CODEPINK and tying the claims to protests and activism. Sanctions & Health Care: Cuba’s foreign minister says the latest U.S. sanctions targeting medical missions and health officials are an attack on the right to health services, while Díaz-Canel praises doctors as hospitals face shortages and power cuts. Power Crisis Hits Daily Life: Blackouts keep spreading—stores report fridges turned off and empty shelves, and a truck crash in Cienfuegos left 9,000+ customers without electricity. Food Supply Strain: The Dominican Republic resumes egg shipments to Cuba, with plans for 13 million eggs a month, after U.S. sanctions disrupted logistics. Protests in the Dark: Pot-banging cacerolazos return in Havana and Santiago de Cuba ahead of July 26, with police presence reported. Sports & Defection: At the Santo Domingo Games, the first known Cuban defection occurs when a field hockey goalkeeper leaves the delegation before the opening ceremony. UN Human Rights: The UN General Assembly renews Volker Turk’s mandate for four years despite U.S., Russia and Israel opposition.

US Sanctions Tighten on Cuba: The State Department announced new sanctions targeting Cuba’s energy sector and medical missions, blocking nine state-backed entities and two Cuban officials under EO 14404, with warnings that foreign banks and partners could face spillover restrictions. Labor Update in Cuba: Cuba’s Ministry of Labor says work will be suspended July 25–27, with exceptions for vital services like sugar harvest, hospitals, fuel, transport, and essential communications. Tax Rules for Self-Employed: ONAT clarified accounting requirements for self-employed workers: those earning over 500,000 CUP must keep formal records under Cuban reporting standards, while lower earners use an income/expense control system, with Spanish documentation and five-year retention. Local Economy & Services: A Miami forum of Cuban American experts discussed rebuilding Cuba’s infrastructure after a transition, focusing on attracting private capital for energy, water, and transport. Sports & Culture: A Cuban-led medical clinic project in Cuba drew attention, while Cuban culture and community stories continued to surface alongside broader US politics and immigration headlines.

U.S. Sanctions & Pressure on Cuba’s Health and Energy: The Trump administration imposed new coercive sanctions targeting Cuba’s public healthcare and energy revenues, blacklisting Health Minister José Ángel Portal Miranda and sanctioning entities tied to medical cooperation and overseas medical services. Humanitarian Aid via Catholic Charities: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) sent the first batch of U.S. humanitarian aid to Cuba under a $100m package, with pre-packaged food and hygiene kits delivered to families through the Catholic Church network. Fuel Rules Expand for Private Businesses: A new report says U.S.-authorized fuel imports for Cuba’s private sector have spread beyond small operators, with some gas stations reportedly selling imported gasoline by the liter in dollars—raising questions about compliance. Diplomacy Without Details: Marco Rubio said the U.S. is ready to help end the “senseless war” in Ukraine but won’t disclose closed-door talks, while also pressing Cuba for political change. Health Sector at the BRICS Table: Cuba’s health minister told BRICS health ministers that the U.S. blockade and energy embargo are driving severe harm to Cuba’s health system, urging cooperation and innovation.

U.S.-Backed Aid to Cuba: Catholic charity Caritas Cuba has started distributing U.S. humanitarian boxes in Bejucal and Alquízar near Havana, with the first Miami-to-Havana shipment delivering food and hygiene kits for about 700 families under Rubio’s $100 million initiative. Havana Municipal Focus: President Miguel Díaz-Canel’s leadership exchanges with Havana’s Cotorro and Habana del Este defense councils wrapped up, with electricity distribution and urgent water needs highlighted as shared problems. Digital Payments Push: Cuba is rolling out measures to expand digital payments as part of broader efforts to ease cash and transaction pressures. Energy Crisis Context: The aid comes as Cuba’s energy crisis deepens, with the U.S. continuing to frame its support as humanitarian while Cuba rejects Washington’s broader approach. Regional Trade Note: The Dominican Republic resumed egg exports to Cuba after a suspension tied to logistics under the U.S. blockade, sending 12 containers of nearly 3.9 million eggs.

Humanitarian Aid to Cuba: Catholic Relief Services says it has begun sending U.S.-funded aid to Cuba under Rubio’s $100M plan, with a first flight arriving as Washington keeps pressure on Havana. U.S.-Cuba Tensions: The State Department released a report alleging decades of Cuban espionage and influence operations in the U.S., which Cuba rejects as “propaganda,” while analysts warn it could feed a tougher Washington strategy. Digital Payments Push: Cuba is rolling out measures to expand digital payments and reform its payment system to ease the cash squeeze. Migration Snapshot: Cuba’s population decline continued in 2025, with official figures showing 313,414 permanent departures and a net migration loss of 245,264. Power and Daily Life: Reports highlight worsening blackouts and shortages, including overcrowding and rising hardship as Cuba’s grid struggles. Culture & Recognition: Cuban-Mexican singer Francisco Céspedes is among artists tied to major Latin Grammy special awards, underscoring Cuba’s cultural footprint.

Humanitarian Aid: The first U.S. flight of food and hygiene kits for Cuba left Miami for Havana, with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Caritas Cuba set to distribute supplies to up to 700 families, while CRS also received $60 million to expand aid to more than half a million people. Digital Transformation: Cuba, China and UNDP promoted a digital upgrade project to strengthen Cuba’s Soberanía platform, aiming to improve access to digital services. Energy & Water: In Holguín, new investments are pushing water treatment and gravity-fed pipelines, including solar-powered support for pumping stations amid fuel shortages. Healthcare Access: Cuba’s government says it will launch a “National Health Card” to reduce healthcare inequality and let doctors access key records anywhere in the country. Demographics: Cuba’s population fell to 9.43 million in 2025, driven by more deaths than births and heavy net migration. U.S.-Cuba Tensions: Cuba rejected a new U.S. State Department report calling it a “capital of 21st century communism,” dismissing it as propaganda meant to justify pressure and aggression.

Human Rights & Exile: The U.S. approved parole for Cuban rapper Maykel Osorbo, days after granting it to Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, with both cases tied to claims of political imprisonment and expected exile. U.S.-Cuba Tensions: Cuba’s president Díaz-Canel rejected a new U.S. State Department report branding Cuba a threat and accused Washington of reviving “neo-McCarthyism” and seeking pretexts for aggression. Humanitarian Aid: A first $100 million U.S. aid shipment left Miami for Cuba, with food and hygiene kits for up to 700 families delivered via Catholic partners and Caritas Cuba. Tourism Under Sanctions: Spanish hotel giant Meliá says it will fully shut down in Cuba starting Friday, following Iberostar’s withdrawal, as U.S. sanctions and legal hurdles squeeze the island’s tourism sector. Daily Life & Services: Cuba’s power crisis remains severe, while Díaz-Canel pushed for “the most capable people” to lead Havana’s Defense Zones amid major electricity deficits. Demographics: Cuba’s population continues to decline, driven by low births, higher deaths, and heavy migration. Local Economy & Water: Investments in Holguín aim to improve water supply using gravity-fed systems and solar-powered solutions. Culture & Community: Cuba’s library hosts free Netflix screenings of “Little House,” reflecting ongoing efforts to keep culture accessible.

U.S.-Cuba Humanitarian Aid: The U.S. sent its first humanitarian flight to Cuba under a new $100 million package, delivering food and hygiene kits for up to 700 families via Catholic Relief Services, after earlier church-linked support. Foreign Pressure on Tourism: Spanish hotel giant Meliá says it will end its hotel operations in Cuba this Friday, citing “operational, legal, and economic-financial difficulties” tied to U.S. pressure. State Department Clash: Cuba’s foreign minister rejected a new U.S. State Department report alleging decades of Cuban espionage and influence, calling it a “slanderous pamphlet” meant to scare Americans. Energy and Solidarity: Cuba thanked Spain’s Open Arms for aid reaching a pediatric hospital, including solar panels and batteries aimed at keeping ventilators running during outages. Military Service Deaths: A Cuban citizen observatory report says at least 97 recruits died or disappeared in mandatory service since 2001, with suicide the leading documented cause. Local Life Under Strain: Cubans continue to report daily hardship from cash and power problems, including long bank queues and blackouts affecting ordinary routines.

U.S.-Cuba Tensions: The U.S. State Department released a new report alleging Cuba has run a long-running espionage and influence campaign in the U.S., including support for left-wing groups, as Cuban President Díaz-Canel hit back at Marco Rubio over “corrupt” links. Healthcare Under Strain: Spanish NGO Open Arms delivered seven tons of solar equipment and medical supplies to Havana’s Juan Manuel Márquez Children’s Hospital, aimed at stabilizing power for critical care amid Cuba’s energy crisis. Military Service Deaths: A Cuban watchdog (Ocac) says at least 97 young people died during active military service since 2001, with suicide the leading cause, and warns of limited transparency and accountability. Economy & Daily Life: The informal currency market showed the dollar at 666 CUP and the euro at 768 CUP, while Cubans continue to face blackouts and shortages. Local Anger Over Exports: Guantánamo officials resumed coal exports, triggering outrage online as residents ask how people will cook if power and gas problems persist.