AGP Executive Report

School Costs & Shortages: A Cuban youth tallied the basics for the 2026–2027 school year at 34,600 pesos—nearly 11 minimum wages—highlighting how fuel, power, and teacher gaps turn “back to school” into a budget crisis. Humanitarian Aid: Open Arms completed a second solidarity mission to Juan Manuel Márquez Pediatric Hospital in Havana, delivering medical supplies, milk, medicines, and power support after earlier shipments helped keep critical care running. Power & Daily Hardship: In Matanzas, families are paying for private tutoring as electricity failures and staffing chaos disrupt classes, while blackouts and missing teachers force parents to improvise. Deportation Shock: In South Florida, a Cuban man says ICE deported him to the Central African Republic without him knowing the destination, raising fresh alarms about “third-country” removals. Community Resilience: A Havana church is turning meals into a lifeline for people in need, and residents share small acts of mutual aid as shortages bite. Culture & Identity: Silvio Rodríguez reflects on how shortages reshape Cuba’s music life, from school closures to improvised workarounds for orchestras. Miami Exile Politics: A Cuban-American activist says Raúl Castro is “the glue of the regime,” as debate grows over what comes next.

Cuba’s School Year Under Strain: Cuba reopened schools for about 1.4 million students as fuel, water, and electricity shortages drag on, with buses not running and families scrambling for uniforms, teachers, and basic supplies. Humanitarian Solidarity: NGO Open Arms completed its second solidarity mission to Cuba, delivering about seven tons of medical supplies and powdered milk to help hospitals in Havana. Cuban Families on the Ground: Reports from the island describe students heading to class amid blackouts and chronic shortages, while parents and communities improvise transportation and support. U.S. Immigration Cruelty: A Cuban migrant says ICE deportation sent him to the Central African Republic, describing the process as inhumane and disorienting, while another detainee death in U.S. custody adds to scrutiny of ICE deaths. Culture & Reading: Abu Dhabi’s International Book Fair expands with Cuba among debuting countries, signaling growing international cultural exchange.

Cuba’s School Year: Cuba’s 2026-2027 term opens for 1.4M students despite crippling shortages—families report no electricity, missing uniforms, and a teacher gap—while the government insists in-person learning is “non-negotiable,” using staggered “educational zones” to stretch limited resources. Humanitarian Cost: In Havana and beyond, parents describe blackouts and basic needs falling on households, turning the first day into a grim test of resilience. ICE Deportation Cruelty: A Cuban migrant says an ICE deportation flight ended with him being told he was sent to the Central African Republic—laughed at by an officer—leaving him without documents and separated from family. Immigration Paperwork Stress: Another Cuban artist in Miami lost his wallet, including his green card, and is urgently appealing for help to recover documents. Culture & Memory: Cuba marks the music legacy of Adalberto Álvarez, while a Tampa gathering “Entre Palabras y Colores” spotlights Cuban art and literature as a bridge between island and diaspora.

Cuba’s School Reopening Under Strain: With fuel, uniforms, and buses still scarce, Cuba’s new school year starts for about 1.4 million students as families improvise transport after stolen horses and buses stay off the roads. Teacher Shortage Crisis: The education ministry admits the scale of the problem—missing teachers, low coverage, and last-minute adjustments—while schools reopen anyway as “stopping education is not an option.” Cuban Arts Under Pressure: A Cuban theater group, El Ciervo Encantado, announces defiance against censorship and bureaucratic control, pledging to keep staging work outside the usual rules. Diaspora & Immigration Court Update: In Miami, a key hearing for Cubans with I-220A is postponed again, now set for Sept. 10, as lawyers stress it’s a step in an ongoing process. Culture Beyond Cuba: Orlando Museum of Art names queer Cuban American artist Ema Ri winner of its Florida Prize, highlighting Cuban identity in contemporary art. U.S.-Cuba Diplomacy Tension: Cuba’s top diplomat in Washington says dialogue with the Trump administration is at a standstill, with sanctions and preventable deaths rising.

Cuba Humanitarian Crisis: A prominent Cuban-American group urges the U.S. to carve out broad humanitarian exemptions from sanctions, warning blackouts and shortages of fuel, food, and medicine are worsening daily life. Cuba School Year Strain: Cuba’s education minister admits the 2026-2027 start will be “very difficult,” with missing uniforms and supplies, teacher coverage gaps, and fragile school meals. Cuba Power Outages & Daily Life: Broad debate continues after broadcaster Laritza Camacho’s irony about “freedom” amid blackouts, with many readers pointing to the return of darkness at home. Havana Protest & Police Pressure: Reports say El Fanguito in Vedado faced a heavy police operation during another blackout, with allegations of assaults on residents. Family Burden Debate: A Cuban psychologist’s viral post sparks a heated discussion about “role reversal,” where children become long-term providers for parents after emigration. Diaspora & Culture: A Cuban writer reflects on Operation Peter Pan’s emotional scars, describing a painful emotional distance after reunions in Miami. International Diplomacy: Serbia’s foreign ministry chief met Cuba’s first deputy FM on the Non-Aligned Movement sidelines, highlighting joint cultural initiatives. U.S. Deportations Impacting Cubans: New reporting says ICE expanded “third country” deportations to Africa, including Cubans among those expelled.

Cuban Culture Abroad: Guantánamo’s puppet theater troupe is touring Colombia, bringing plays like Chimpete-Champata and Opalín and the Devil to festivals in Bogotá, Itagüí, and Ibagué—proof Cuban performing arts travel well. Cuban Life Under Pressure: UNICEF says it delivered 213,000 prenatal supplement bottles to 30,430 pregnant and breastfeeding women in Cuba by air after sea shipping was impossible, with extra costs covered to keep care on track. School Year Strain: Cuba is heading into the new school year amid severe power and economic crisis, with reports of major teacher shortages and limits on in-person classes. Diaspora Paperwork Woes: Dozens of Cubans in Serbia say a consular computer failure left passport applications stuck for months, risking loss of legal status. Reparto Music Momentum: Universal Music Latino is partnering with Cuban streamer YaBoyyWill on “Toma Este Reparto!” to spotlight the growing Cuban reparto scene. Health & Family Hope: A U.S.-based reader says she’s traveling to Cuba to obtain NeuralCIM for her mother’s dementia, citing Cuban trial results. Humanitarian & Rights Context: A report says the U.S. expanded “third-country” deportations, including Cubans, sending people to African countries.

Cuban Energy & Daily Life: Actor Luis Alberto García Novoa marked the start of the 2026-2027 school year with biting irony, describing a summer of record power shortages and community blackouts that left food spoiling and families exhausted. Education Under Strain: Plaza de la Revolución launched “I Am the Teacher” to recruit about 50 people to cover teaching gaps as Cuba prepares for classes amid the crisis. Tourism vs. Reality: Criticism grew over Cuba’s luxury hotel spending while the electrical system struggles, spotlighting the “K-23 Tower” as a costly, low-occupancy symbol of misallocation. Humanitarian Ripple Effects: Animal rescues say shelters in Havana are forced into day-to-day feeding and face vaccine cold-chain problems as outages and water shortages worsen. Culture & Community: Ciego de Ávila mourns the murder of cultural figure Juan Carlos Pérez, while in Miami Cuban LGBTQI+ icon Eduardo Antonio crowned Alexis Valdés “king of theater.” Faith & Tradition: Cubans begin the nine-day novena for Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, with expanded sanctuary hours and major masses. Local Safety & Crime: Camagüey reports alarming first-half crime figures, triggering debate over underreporting and how authorities respond.

Energy & Daily Life Under Strain: Cuban comedian Ulises Toirac says power outages are psychological torture, not just inconvenience—no stability, endless broken promises, and a cycle of resignation. Protests & Local Pressure: In Havana’s El Fanguito, residents protested again amid blackouts, with police heavily deployed—another sign that shortages keep spilling into the streets. Water Access Politics: In Mantilla, Arroyo Naranjo, an activist filmed inspectors restoring water pipes after two years, only after rumors Díaz-Canel was coming—residents call it hypocrisy. Health System Breakdown: In Camagüey, a macabre discovery near a provincial hospital’s hemodialysis area has sparked outrage, with no official details yet. Education Under Crisis: Universidad de Oriente will start the 2026-2027 school year in a decentralized, hybrid setup due to the fuel crisis, while reports also point to teacher and supply shortages. Women & Culture: The Harn Museum of Art opens “Layered Lives,” a major exhibition of Cuban women artists, running through Jan. 3, 2027. Activism & Economy: Mireya Jiménez erupts against Aleida Guevara March, defending self-employment as the lifeline for everyday Cubans. Diaspora & Identity: A Cuban-born Afro-Cuban music connection shows up abroad as Orchestra Baobab blends Cuban son with West African rhythms. International Tensions: Massachusetts activists put up “No to war against Cuba” banners, citing intensified U.S. pressure and rising risk of confrontation.

Cuba’s School Year Under Strain: As classes begin Sept. 1, Cuba faces blackouts, shortages, and a teacher deficit—Holguín alone starts with 2,000+ missing teachers, while Universidad de Oriente plans a decentralized, hybrid approach for 2026-2027 amid the fuel crisis. Humanitarian Crisis at the Hospital: In Contramaestre, pregnant women at Orlando Pantoja Tamayo General Hospital are reportedly forced to carry buckets of water up stairs due to basic service failures, sparking outrage. Water Politics in Mantilla: Residents in Mantilla (Arroyo Naranjo) say water was restored in days only after rumors of Díaz-Canel’s visit—after two years without supply. Public Health in Guantánamo: The province remains on epidemiological alert as micro and mega landfills pile up near schools and daycare centers, with authorities blaming fuel shortages and calling for community-wide waste collection. Activism and Culture Abroad: “Eyes on Cuba” brought Cuban embassy reps to Oakland for talks on the blockade and Black August ties; in Uruguay, Cuban nonviolence activist Omar López Montenegro promoted his “Nonviolent Strategic Struggle” guide. Community Safety & Scams: A Mayabeque case warns of a liquefied gas scam using WhatsApp verification-code theft.

Cuban Education Under Strain: Cuba’s Education Ministry says the new school year starts Sept. 1 despite the crisis—only 73% of teaching posts are filled, uniforms won’t cover everyone, and in-person classes can’t be guaranteed. Power Outages’ Human Cost: Santiago de Cuba writer Yasser Sosa Tamayo says blackouts steal more than electricity—they consume hours of life as families scramble for water, food, cooking, and heat. Havana Sewage Backlash: A Havana resident’s “beautiful tourist views” post shows flooded streets, missing manhole lids, and sewage mixing with potable water—blaming systemic collapse. ICE Crackdown Hits Cuban Musician: Latin Grammy winner Degnis Bofill was detained at Miami airport after a New York concert, with family fearing deportation. Scam Alert in Mayabeque: An animal rights activist reports a gas-canister scam that used WhatsApp verification-code theft to hijack accounts. Culture & Identity: Yotuel Romero shares hope after seeing Slovakia’s post-communism development, calling it a model for Cuba. Rumba Route: Timbalaye 2026 kicked off in Guantánamo, keeping the island’s music calendar moving.

Cuba’s School Year Under Strain: Cuba will start classes on Sept. 1 for about 1.4–1.5 million students, but the Ministry of Education is allowing more flexibility as blackouts, shortages, and teacher gaps hit classrooms. Power Cuts’ Human Cost: In Santiago de Cuba, writer Yasser Sosa Tamayo says blackouts steal “hours of life,” not just electricity—time Cubans can’t get back. Teachers Shortage in Camagüey: Camagüey faces nearly 3,000 missing teachers, forcing reshuffled classes and last-resort hiring plans. Local Aid in Santa Clara: A private project in Santa Clara is giving free bread and food packages to vulnerable families, including daily loaves and extra support for children and teachers. Santiago’s Dream Park Fades: Guantánamo’s summer crowds never really arrived—Santiago de Cuba’s Parque de los Sueños ends the season with stalled rides and near-empty zoo areas. ICE Crackdown With Cuban Names: U.S. authorities highlighted a Cuban in “Worst of the Worst” for a crime against a minor and arson, while another Latin Grammy winner, Degnis Bofill, was detained after returning to Florida. Culture & Faith: UNICEF shipped 213,000 prenatal bottles to Cuba, and Guantánamo’s Rumba Route Timbalaye 2026 opened with workshops and performances.

Water & Power Resilience in Cuba: President Díaz-Canel visited the Paso Seco water supply source as Cuba pushes repairs and backup power to keep Havana’s pumping running amid the energy crisis. Education Inclusion: Holguín is strengthening special education for the new school year, expanding support for students with disabilities and hard-to-reach communities. Food Security at the UN: Cuba denounced hunger as a weapon of war and warned the U.S. blockade is worsening food access before the Security Council. Culture & Literature: Spanish publishers’ guilds honored Cuban writer Leonardo Padura with the 2026 Liber Prize, praising his storytelling and Cuban identity. Cuban Life Abroad Under Pressure: In Miami, ICE detained Latin Grammy-winning Cuban musician Degnis Nelson Bofill Miranda after a concert, while other reports highlight Cubans facing deportation and detention. Everyday Crisis, Seen Up Close: A viral video shows what 3,000 pesos can buy at a Cuban fair in 2026—highlighting shortages and price strain. Community & Memory: Cubacultura in Trigueros brought together Cuban artists from the island and the diaspora, centered on reunion and cultural bridges.

Cuban Education: Cuba is set to start the new school year on September 1 despite shortages and a wider crisis, with the education minister saying materials are ready, teacher coverage is being shored up, and support will target the most vulnerable students. School Year Reality Check: Officials also acknowledge the strain—transport and electricity problems, falling teacher numbers, and missing supplies like uniforms—while promising flexibility such as allowing students to attend in headscarves if needed. Human Stories in Health: A Cuban girl who received a liver transplant in Spain is back in the spotlight through new photos shared by activists, with a message urging Cuba’s health system to see what’s possible. Culture & Food: Cuba’s ropa vieja is up against Ecuador’s encebollado in a viral “Food World Cup” vote, turning national dishes into a social-media showdown. Diaspora & Identity Debate: A Cuban psychologist sparks online debate by separating “cubanía” (identity) from “cubaneo” (behavior), arguing that values and civility have been eroded. Music & Community: Afro-Cuban duo Okan talks about carrying Cuban musical roots across the diaspora, with Miami as a meeting point for identity and sound. U.S. Immigration Pressure: In the U.S., a Cuban national with a prior child sexual assault conviction was arrested after illegal re-entry, facing up to 20 years.

Immigration & Asylum: A Florida federal judge ordered the release of a Cuban man who entered via CBP One and was arrested by ICE without a fresh deportation process, a ruling that could affect thousands of Cubans with similar cases. ICE Crackdown & Deportations: Another Cuban deported to Africa says the U.S. is “destroying” immigrants and warns others as he appeals for help from the Cuban-American community. Activism & Repression: Cuban activist Óscar Casanella says it’s “sad” and “indignant” that regime enforcers can enter the U.S. while he fights for asylum in Miami. Culture & Faith: Viral videos show young Cubans singing Christian rap over reparto rhythms, sparking jokes and debate online. Music & Community: The sixth annual Americana in the Park returns Sept. 13 in Santa Monica with free all-ages performances. Tech & Media: Bluesky triples video length to 10 minutes, but still offers no ad-revenue sharing or creator payouts. Public Safety & Policy: Florida expands “communism” instruction in grades 6–12, reigniting debate over what schools should teach. Cuba Watch: Cubalex reports 37 homicides in Cuba in July, the highest in four years, including nine femicides.

Cuban Education & Daily Life: As Cuba heads into the new school year on September 1, families are bracing for shortages and outages—no electricity for studying, scarce supplies, and the rising cost of uniforms, shoes, and backpacks—while officials frame it as a “celebration.” Cuban Politics & Social Media: In Camagüey, a Communist Party leader sparked backlash online by calling the September 1 start a “blow to imperialism,” with critics pointing to real-world gaps like power cuts, missing uniforms, and kids starting without basic needs. Culture in Havana: Spanish singer Sílvia Pérez Cruz performed a free candlelight concert at San Francisco El Nuevo church, but poor sound and lack of electricity left part of the audience struggling to hear. Afro-Cuban Music in Florida: Tito Puente Jr. brings “The Music of Tito Puente” to Davie, promising mambo, salsa, and Latin jazz built for dancing. Immigration & Enforcement (Cuban links): ICE confirmed the deportation of a Venezuelan National Guard officer accused of torture, while separate reports say Cuban deportees who resisted a Liberia flight were sent onward to Equatorial Guinea. US Visa Shock: The US announced a global suspension of new visa issuance, pausing travel plans worldwide. Online Kids Safety: Meta agreed to sweeping changes after a major settlement over alleged harms to children on Instagram and Facebook.

Havana Book Fair: Despite Cuba’s heat, power limits, and logistics, readers still found “breath of life” in the 34th Havana International Book Fair—proof that the best finds can happen even at the most challenging stands. Human Rights Under Pressure: Amnesty International renewed its demand for the immediate release of Cuban political prisoner Roberto Pérez Fonseca, citing his family’s reports of serious health deterioration and lack of timely medical care. U.S.-Cuba Tensions: Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez condemned the U.S. decision to extend the economic embargo through September 2027, calling it “asphyxiating” pressure amid intensified sanctions. Immigration Crackdown Fallout: The U.S. paused immigrant visa appointments worldwide for consular training tied to “public charge” screening, while ICE arrests hit a new July high—sparking fresh debate after a Cuban man recorded a tense Key West stop. ICE Detention Stories: A Cuban father in Miami broke down over the daughter he left in Cuba, putting a human face on family separation as deportations and detentions continue to ripple through Cuban communities.