AGP Executive Report

Energy & Daily Life in Cuba: Cuba plunged into another nationwide blackout as fuel shortages bite harder under the U.S. energy embargo, with hospitals and key services prioritized while “micro-islands” are used to restart power. Human Rights & Repression: Ahead of the fifth anniversary of 11J, Cuban opposition actor Edel Carrero says he was interrogated at Villa Marista, describing coercive questioning by State Security. Culture & Community: In Miami, a new exhibit, “Overtown, STILL,” invites visitors into a lived-in space that spotlights neighborhood memory, church life, and everyday portraits. Diaspora & Politics: Four U.S. lawmakers returned from Cuba calling the energy embargo a “silent Gaza,” while noting there are currently no talks to lift it. Art & Identity: Ana Mendieta—born in Cuba and exiled to the U.S.—is the subject of a major Tate Modern exhibition, reframing her earth/body-led work and displacement themes. Religion & Freedom: A report says Cuba’s crackdown on religion continues five years after public protests. International Pressure: The U.S. is also moving to remove Syria from its terrorism list, while Cuba remains on the list.

Human Rights & Culture Under Pressure: Cuban dissident artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara remains missing after his jail sentence ended; a habeas corpus petition has a 72-hour deadline for a court response. Religion Crackdown: A watchdog says Cuba has intensified repression of church-linked humanitarian aid and prayer five years after the 2021 protests, with harassment, fines, confiscations, and detentions reported. 11J Anniversary Politics: U.S. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart renewed calls for the release of Cuban political prisoners on the fifth anniversary of July 11, 2021. Electricity Crisis Meets Creativity: Goteo launched a fundraising drive to give Cuba’s San Antonio de los Baños film school energy independence amid blackouts. Sports & National Pride: Cuba registered 504 athletes for the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, citing resilience despite the U.S. blockade and energy shortages. Everyday Life Strain: A viral clip highlights a toilet-paper shortage in Cuba, where a Bible is reportedly being used in public restrooms. U.S. Immigration Shockwave: A judge ordered the release of a Cuban man convicted of aircraft hijacking, forcing ICE to release him into Florida communities.

Humanitarian Pressure on Cuba: A new U.S. congressional visit frames Washington’s sanctions as a “silent Gaza,” pointing to long blackouts, fuel shortages, and knock-on damage to healthcare, transport, food preservation, and education. Cuban Politics & Negotiations: Raúl Castro’s grandson, tied to GAESA and U.S. talks, is drawing fresh backlash from within the regime’s own supporters—another sign of fractures around who really steers Cuba’s diplomacy. Electricity & Water Crisis: Havana residents report months without safe drinking water, forcing families to draw from the polluted Diezmero River while a nearby garbage dump raises disease fears. Tourism Push: Cuba is extending Mexico’s Mayan World tourism program to the island, linking routes to Havana and Varadero as the sector tries to recover from its worst stretch since COVID. Security & Crime: Cuban customs seized over 10 kg of liquid cocaine hidden in shampoo and keratin products at José Martí International Airport. Culture as Resistance: A new free music project, “Kotelemela Bolingo” (“Resistance and Love”), spotlights Assata Shakur and Patrice Lumumba through an international lineup. Dissident Rights: Human rights groups demand answers on the whereabouts of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara after his expected release date passed.

Human Rights & Due Process: Cuban dissident artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara’s sentence ended July 9, but he remains missing in an undisclosed location; Cubalex filed a habeas corpus petition after state security removed him from Guanajay prison, with courts reportedly closed and access blocked, raising fears of forced disappearance. Energy Crisis & Daily Life: In Tampa, Cuban families are speaking out about Cuba’s worsening blackouts, water shortages, food scarcity, and medical strain after two nationwide power cuts left millions without electricity. U.S.-Cuba Relations: Four Democratic U.S. lawmakers returned from Cuba saying Trump’s energy embargo is turning the island into a “silent Gaza,” while they reported no active talks to lift it. Sanctions Pressure: The U.S. Treasury expanded sanctions on Cuban regime-linked entities under the CUBA-EO14404 program, targeting groups tied to repression and key state bodies. Culture Spotlight: Holguín artist Lauro Hechavarría Osorio received the José Martí Cultural Society’s “Usefulness of Virtue” award for decades of teaching and public art. Music & Identity: Cuban jazz star Omar Sosa credits San Francisco’s Latin jazz community for shaping his path, saying “everything started” there.

Cuba Energy Crisis: Reuters takes us inside Havana tenements as a nationwide grid collapse leaves residents sleeping on rooftops and going days without water, with pumps failing when electricity does. Market Socialism Push: AFP reports Cuba is moving toward market reforms—opening space for private business and foreign capital—while insisting it’s not abandoning socialism amid U.S. fuel blockade and secondary sanctions. 11J Anniversary, Repression: 14ymedio details how five years after July 11, 2021, exile groups held vigils and rallies in Madrid and beyond, while the regime tightens repression and political prisoners remain central to the story. Culture Spotlight: Ana Mendieta’s Tate Modern exhibition returns to her Havana roots and radical art made from blood, feathers, flowers, and fire. Local Life & Lifestyle: A viral Cuban nursing-student clip captures the shock and humor of witnessing childbirth during rotations. Diaspora Politics: Former CBS-4 anchor Eliott Rodriguez pitches his bid for Florida’s 27th, stressing deep local Cuban-American roots. Immigration Policy: Rep. Carlos Gimenez backs a long-term fix for undocumented immigrants without criminal records as deportations continue.

Humanitarian Pressure on Cuba: Cuba’s tourism keeps sliding as fuel and electricity shortages bite, with hotels and flights disrupted and arrivals down sharply in early 2026. Energy Blockade & Diplomacy: Cuba’s UN envoy hit back at U.S. ambassador Mike Waltz, calling him “Pinocchio,” while Washington’s “energy embargo” claims fuel a fresh round of clashes. Everyday Survival Under Strain: In Matanzas, people are reportedly trapped in a banking chaos where transfers won’t work—so they end up begging for basic food. Power Outage Protests: Residents in Artemisa and Havana neighborhoods took to the streets after days without electricity, using pots and pans to force attention. Gender-Based Violence: A mother of two in Cienfuegos died after a rooftop fall during a partner struggle, marked as the 40th femicide reported in Cuba this year. Culture & Identity: Raúl Torres urged leaders to “hit the streets” and feel daily hardship, while Paula Alí received Cuba’s 2026 National Television Prize for decades of work. Counterfeit Crackdown: Spain dismantled a counterfeit Habanos operation, seizing tens of thousands of fake cigars and bands. Legal Accountability: A federal court set an August 24, 2026 trial date for a former Cuban Air Force pilot accused in the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue shootdown.

Cuban Protests Anniversary: Five years after July 11, 2021, Miami’s Little Havana held a Liberation Day rally to back Cubans still demanding “freedom” and to spotlight ongoing detentions and repression. Diplomacy & Prisoners: U.S. UN envoy Mike Waltz marked 11J by naming political prisoners and urging countries to reject the regime. Repression Watch: Activist Berta Soler says State Security besieged Ladies in White homes and headquarters, while Cubalex reports record repressive incidents and protests. Energy Crisis: Cuba’s grid suffered a second nationwide blackout in five days, with UNE warning of total collapse and a fuel blockade blamed for leaving the system with no reserve. Local Power Reality: Holguín’s electric company urged residents to reconnect devices gradually—sparking sarcasm as outages and short supply make “gradual” power feel impossible. Internal Power Strains: Cuban supporters and exiles debate Raúl Castro’s grandson’s role in talks with the U.S., with critics calling it a behind-the-scenes channel tied to GAESA. Culture & Identity: Tate Modern’s Ana Mendieta exhibition spotlights her Cuba-made works and environmental themes, bringing Cuban artistic legacy back into global focus. Lifestyle/Media: Pop TV’s “One Day at a Time” revival push highlights how the Cuban-American family sitcom tackles Latinx life, religion, and LGBTQI issues.

July 11 Anniversary & Repression: Five years after Cuba’s July 11, 2021 protests, the regime is still tightening control, with independent groups reporting ongoing detentions and surveillance, including police operations around journalists and relatives of political prisoners. Human Rights Watch: CSW says religious freedom violations have surged into a “new normal,” with hundreds of incidents from early 2025 to mid-2026 and cases involving threats, interrogations, and detentions. Electricity Crisis: UNE reports partial reconnection of the national grid from Santa Clara to Holguín after another major collapse, as Cuba faces extreme fuel limits and fragile power restoration. U.S.-Cuba Diplomacy: Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz says Cuba has held sensitive talks with U.S. representatives via dialogue, while Marco Rubio reiterates “all tools” to push reforms and demands political prisoners’ release. World Population Day Spin: Cuba’s foreign ministry claims commitment to well-being, but UN-linked figures point to a deep demographic crisis and record-low births. Miami Culture & Activism: A Liberation Day rally in Little Havana marks the anniversary with music, documentary screenings, and calls for “true, free change.” Arts & Community: Buena Vista Social Club is set for a South Florida run at the Arsht Center, with programming tied to Cuban music and Miami’s cultural identity.

Blackouts & Fuel Crisis: Cuba’s national grid suffered a second nationwide collapse in five days, with the Electric Union reporting a total shutdown at 4:30 p.m. as fuel shortages tied to the U.S. energy blockade keep repairs and maintenance on the brink. U.S.-Cuba Talks: Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz confirmed bilateral conversations with the U.S., warning of “manipulations” meant to sow distrust while negotiations continue. Havana Syndrome Payments: The U.S. began first compensation payments for “Havana Syndrome” affected personnel, disbursing nearly $3 million under the HAVANA Act. Human Rights & Prison Transfers: Maykel Castillo Osorbo was moved to maximum security in Guanajay, following a similar operation involving Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara whose whereabouts remain unclear. Culture Spotlight: Paula Andrea Alí Rivera received Cuba’s National Television Award 2026 for decades of work across TV, theater, and ICAIC film. Arts & Memory: A vandal attack shattered a Neruda plaque in Holguín, hitting a site meant to preserve local cultural memory. Global Lens on Sanctions: India urged the UN to end unilateral embargoes and sanctions, citing impacts on development and rights—explicitly including Cuba. Sports as Culture: Pitbull’s BST Hyde Park show set a Guinness record with 22,000+ fans wearing bald caps, with the Cuban-American star tying the moment to immigrant roots.

Power & Water Crisis: Cuba logged a second island-wide blackout in a week, and Havana’s water crisis is now hitting over 500,000 people as the grid failure ripples through pumping stations and treatment systems. Healthcare Under Strain: A cancer patient’s long wait for a CT scan highlights how Cuba’s once-celebrated care model is buckling under equipment shortages and power limits. Diplomacy & Internal Politics: The Communist Party has publicly backed Raúl Castro’s grandson, “El Cangrejo,” as an intermediary for U.S. talks—amid sharp criticism inside the regime. Political Prisoners: Maykel “Osorbo” Castillo was transferred to maximum security in Guanajay, with activists warning of worsening isolation. Culture & Film: ICAIC is pushing ahead with screenings and restorations despite energy limits, including work tied to the Gibara low-budget film festival. Lifestyle & Heritage: Crystal beer is back in Miami after a decades-long legal fight over the brand. Diaspora Debate: A viral sketch reignites the Spain-vs-Miami divide in the Cuban community abroad.

Power Crisis in Cuba: Cuba’s grid hit a new record deficit, with a shortfall of 2,341 MW during peak demand, leaving huge parts of the island in darkness and deepening daily hardship. Human Rights Under Pressure: Amnesty International says Cuban artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara is in enforced disappearance after his sentence ended, with authorities refusing to disclose his whereabouts. Family Pleads for Answers: A Cuban mother’s open letter to Díaz-Canel describes 48 hours without electricity and a child forced to sleep by the door to find any air. International Diplomacy: Cuba’s FM Bruno Rodríguez told the UN that the blockade “suffocates and kills,” citing massive damage figures and worsening health impacts. Medical Cooperation in Italy: Calabria’s governor says Cuban doctors will stay, rejecting U.S. pressure to replace the program—arguing hospitals need them to keep services running. Storm Damage: A severe storm in Pilón, Granma destroyed temporary schools and damaged solar panels, disrupting electricity and harming crops. Culture & Community: The Gibara Low-Budget Film Festival opens July 14–18 with films from nearly 20 countries, including new entries from Kyrgyzstan. Lifestyle (Cuban Flavor): World Rum Day and World Mojito Day overlap, spotlighting the mojito’s Cuban roots and modern popularity. Immigration Reality in the U.S.: A lawyer warns Cuban migrants with pending residency cases could face deportation if judges won’t grant continuances.

UN Showdown: Cuba’s Bruno Rodríguez tore into U.S. UN envoy Mike Waltz, flashing photos of Havana blackouts and ICE violence to argue the blockade and repression are the real humanitarian crisis. Demographic Reality Check: Cuba’s births fell to 71,358 in 2024—down nearly 62% from 1990—while deaths outpaced births, deepening the island’s population squeeze. Persecution Watch: A new report flags rising religious nationalism and transnational repression, with Christians facing intimidation, silence, and displacement. Electricity & Daily Life: Cuba’s grid collapse and ongoing shortages keep fueling public anger, including calls for UNE to explain the chaos. Medical Diplomacy Under Pressure: Italy’s Calabria refuses U.S. demands to end the Cuban doctors program, with local leaders saying the region depends on the staff. Culture & Community: The Gibara Low-Budget Film Festival returns July 14–18 with films from nearly 20 countries, spotlighting global diversity. Immigration Hardship: A Cuban woman says ICE canceled her work permit and seized her passport during an appointment, leaving her shaken and jobless. Family in the Spotlight: The family of Geraldo Lunas Campos sues after his ICE custody death was ruled homicide by asphyxia.

Cuban Doctors Under Pressure in Italy: Italy’s Calabria region is refusing U.S. calls to end Cuba’s long-running medical program, keeping more than 200 Cuban professionals working in remote hospitals after local shortages forced some departments to close. Havana’s Daily Survival Crisis: In Regla, residents say days of blackouts and water cuts have pushed them to block streets and confront municipal officials. Food Safety Alarm in the Capital: Havana’s trash and sewage buildup is threatening the food supply, with only 41% of garbage trucks operating and major uncollected waste piling up. UN Blockade Claims: Cuba’s foreign minister told the UN the U.S. is running an “energy siege,” blocking fuel shipments and worsening healthcare. ICE and Cuban Families: A judge ordered the release of Cuban plane hijacker Maikel Guerra Morales after deportation stalled, while another Cuban family is suing over a death in ICE custody. Protest Plan for U.S. Targets: ADN Cuba reports a U.S.-based Cuba solidarity network memo calling for rapid-response protests at ICE and federal sites if tensions escalate. Culture & Community: A new bishop-elect with Cuban roots was profiled in Venice, Florida, highlighting faith, family ties, and missionary work.

Cuba’s Power Crisis: Cuba’s electrical grid suffered a total collapse, with emergency protocols activated as the country grapples with blackouts amid U.S. fuel pressure. Holguín Graduation Boost: More than 1,500 professionals graduated across Holguín, Oriente, and Havana’s computer sciences university system—an education win in a tough economic moment. UN Cuba Blockade Pushback: Cuba’s foreign minister told the UN that the U.S. blockade is escalating humanitarian harm, calling it a de facto act of war and warning of what could come next. Summer Life in Guantánamo: Guantánamo Province opened dozens of swimming and sports spaces under “Summer with My People,” keeping community recreation going despite supply and energy strain. Cuban Culture Abroad: Havana Contemporary is drawing attention with a private salon model aimed at building long-term relationships between collectors and living Cuban artists. Music & Identity: Orquesta Akokán brings a vintage mambo sound to Music on Main, with band members linking the music’s Havana roots to today’s Cuban energy challenges. Human Rights at the UN: Cambodia used the UN Human Rights Council session to highlight rights work across education, gender, migration, and justice—while also addressing border displacement and migrant protections.

Cuban Political Prisoners: Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara was removed from Guanajay prison in Artemisa, but his whereabouts and transfer conditions remain unknown, leaving family and human-rights groups on alert. UN Diplomacy: Cuba’s foreign minister Bruno Rodríguez told the UN General Assembly to “ask the Cuban people” about the blockade’s impact as tempers flared with the U.S. envoy during debate over the embargo. Power Crisis at Home: Cuba faces another total grid collapse amid reports of fuel pressure and blackouts, with Díaz-Canel again blaming U.S. actions. Everyday Survival: A Cuban family living on about $60 a month describes how blackouts and shortages hit meals, health, and basic routines. Culture & Community: Danceworks in Milwaukee announces Rhythmworks: Ritmo Vivo, celebrating Afro-Brazilian and Latin dance styles. Immigration & Travel (US): The U.S. updates Visa Waiver Programme rules and highlights ESTA clearance, while new data show Cuba among the top sources of U.S. green cards.

Blackout & U.S. Fuel Fight: Cuba’s national grid suffered another total collapse, leaving nearly 10 million without power as the U.N. turned into a showdown over fuel restrictions; U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz blamed Havana’s repression while Cuba’s Bruno Rodríguez called the situation an “act of war.” Human Rights Under Pressure: Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara was reportedly moved out of Guanajay prison during a heavy operation, with his transfer location still unclear as July 9 nears. Everyday Survival Costs: A four-generation Cuban family tries to get by on about $60 a month, selling bread rolls after electricity trickles allow a small bakery to operate. Culture & Solidarity: Holguín is expanding reproductive and sexual health consultations through local clinics, while Namibia’s public broadcaster pledged support for a Cuba aid drive for medical supplies and solar panels. Regional Links: Angola and Cuba renewed cooperation talks across health, education, culture, and science. Art & Youth: Children in El Salvador’s Cuban community used drawings to explore Fidel Castro’s legacy through a summer program.