AGP Executive Report

Cuba’s Healthcare Under Strain: With near-constant blackouts worsening after US fuel blockades, Cuba’s once-vaunted universal health system is sliding into a humanitarian crisis—hospitals without power, vaccine cold-storage problems, and shortages hitting patients hardest. Poverty Snapshot: A new study says 94% of Cubans live in extreme poverty, with most people skipping meals and overwhelming majorities rejecting the government’s economic management. Culture Under Pressure: As the economy and emigration accelerate, Cuba’s arts scene is losing both artists and audiences; even major events like the International Jazz Festival feel quieter and more precarious. Internationalism & Fidel Legacy: Multiple pieces mark Fidel Castro’s centenary with reflections on Cuba’s role in anti-imperialist struggles and global solidarity. US Policy Watch: A report warns Cuba’s ties with Russia, China, and Iran could create a national security foothold close to Florida, reframing the island as more than a migration or human-rights story.

Cuban Protest & Power Crisis: A mother in Alamar, Havana, Doraykis Delgado González (“Koky Pena”), was jailed for more than a month after livestreaming a peaceful protest against blackouts and calling out unequal access to electricity. Cuban Economy & Social Change: Deputy Foreign Trade Minister Déborah Rivas says Cuba is pushing economic and social transformations to keep building socialism amid the strengthened U.S. blockade, warning shortages are hitting children waiting for surgery. Cuban Sports Diplomacy: Cuba’s delegation received its flag at the José Martí Memorial ahead of the VI Pan American Youth Games for the Deaf in Guayaquil. Culture & Music: Buena Fe’s “From Port to Port” tour resumes across Central America and Mexico, with multiple sold-out shows. Diaspora & Identity in the Arts: Jose Iglesias returns to Citi Field for a first pitch and then heads to Broadway as the narrator in “Buena Vista Social Club,” a first for an MLB Latino player. Lifestyle in Miami: Little Havana’s Calle Ocho gets a salsa-and-Cuban-bites Thursday night with beginner classes and “Salsa & Sip” at Hoy Como Ayer. Beauty & Spotlight: Miss Universe Cuba 2026 kicks off in Miami with 19 finalists competing for the crown.

Fidel Centenary & Culture: Cuba marked Fidel Castro’s 100th birthday with tributes across the island, including a sports ceremony at the José Martí Memorial in Havana and a major Havana Book Fair wrap-up framed as “unity and brotherhood.” International Solidarity: A Cuban delegation was honored in Havana ahead of the Pan American Deaf Youth Games, while Cuban doctors from ELAM-backed brigades continued humanitarian work abroad, including relief for Colombia earthquake victims. Cuban Politics & Rights: Freemason leader José Ramón Viñas Alonso was summoned in Havana for “disobedience,” with supporters calling it regime interference; meanwhile, reports also highlight mounting pressure and unrest tied to energy and shortages. Diplomacy Tensions: The expulsion of Cuban diplomats from the Dominican Republic drew condemnation and calls to preserve historic ties. U.S.-Cuba Pressure: A New York Times op-ed warns Cuba is “running out of time” amid worsening blackouts and a tightening Trump-era squeeze. Lifestyle & Community: A Havana cultural center’s monthly literary gathering at Tomasa González’s venue in Vedado ends its 2026 summer program, with regular events set to resume in September.

Fidel Centenary & Culture: The 34th Havana International Book Fair wrapped its first stage with 95,000 printed and digital sales, despite intensifying U.S. pressure, and the event continues nationwide through Sept. 6 with Russia as guest of honor. Local Development in Las Tunas: On Fidel’s centenary, Las Tunas reopened and inaugurated social works—from a hardware store and purified water point to a carpentry workshop and a renovated nursing home—framing them as continuity of his legacy. Education Watch: Las Tunas schools prepare for a Sept. 1 return amid teacher coverage around 90%, with uniforms, special education priorities, and support for vulnerable students on the agenda. Tobacco Industry Milestone (Holguín): A Holguín wrapper processing unit celebrated 10 years of work, highlighting productivity gains and export-quality focus. Security & Safety Concerns (Havana): Cuban activist Yankiel Fernández says he was attacked with a stone while walking at night with his 11-year-old nephew, calling Cuba increasingly unsafe. Diplomacy Tension: Cuba’s diplomats left the Dominican Republic before the deadline after nine officials were ordered out, with the departure carried out under secrecy. Migration Anxiety: Relatives of 19 Cubans missing after a boat left Havana Aug. 11 say they’ve lost all contact, with the intended destination reportedly Mexico. International Solidarity: WFTU called for a Sept. 1 day of action against imperialist war and militarism, linking the message to the Palestine crisis and broader global conflict.

Fidel Centenary, Cuba’s education & culture: GEOCUBA Las Tunas held an emotional morning meeting honoring Fidel Castro’s legacy, featuring education scholar Aleida Best Rivero. Community childcare: Camagüey inaugurated a new “13 de Agosto” children’s center in San Miguel, Nuevitas, set to serve up to 35 kids starting the next school year. Humanitarian solidarity: A Russian Civic Chamber delegation delivered humanitarian aid to Cuba—food, sweets, flashlights, USB drives, and first-aid kits—during centenary events with ICAP. Books for young readers: At the Havana Book Fair, the children’s pavilion presented Indigo, a magical, inclusive story about courage, family, and empathy for disability. Poetry & publishing links: Venezuelan poet Tarek William Saab’s anthology arrived at the fair, with Cuban and Venezuelan literary figures spotlighting decades of work. Cuban politics & safety: Opposition activist Diosbel Véliz Marín was reported stabbed to death in Havana; activists are calling for a transparent investigation. Lifestyle & arts: A new film by Julián De La Chica, PIREТ, is making festival rounds, blending his visual-art and music sensibilities.

Fidel at 100, and the politics around it: The Democratic Socialists of America marked Fidel Castro’s centenary by praising his “anti-imperialist” legacy while calling U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio “genocidal,” renewing the debate over Cuba’s revolution and today’s U.S.-Cuba tensions. Everyday Cuba under strain: A Cuban journalist in Miami said his father’s emergency surgery in Spain highlighted how hard survival can be during crises on the island, where electricity and supplies can make emergencies deadly. Demography warning: A Cuban demographer warned the population could shrink to about 5.6 million if low fertility, high mortality, aging, and emigration keep accelerating. Culture & memory: Camagüey launched a poetry book, “On His Shoulders, the Dawn,” dedicated to Fidel, turning centenary commemoration into local literary memory. Campus life: Las Tunas medical students held a virtual FEU workshop focused on building a “healthy university” through listening and student-led change. Public safety and heritage: Holguín is still waiting for answers after a collapsed sculpture left a missing artwork base for months, while Las Tunas officials say a toppled Antonio Maceo bust will be restored after vandalism. Diaspora organizing: Cubans living in Europe will meet in France on Oct. 23–24 to discuss economic reforms, culture, and ties with Cuba, with younger generations in focus.

Cuba’s Hunger Strike: Opposition activist Guillermo del Sol Pérez remains in critical condition after nearly 60 days on hunger strike, with worsening weakness and new health changes reported by family and monitors. School Struggles: A Cuban mother’s plea over school snacks spotlights how price caps were lifted, sending essentials like cooking oil and sausages higher—leaving many families unable to meet basic back-to-school needs. Power and Food Supply: Catholic churches in the region sent 20,000 unconsecrated hosts to Cuba as production is disrupted by raw-material shortages and frequent blackouts. Political Prisoner Update: Fernando Michael Bárzaga Mompié was released after serving his sentence for 11J protests, insisting freedom isn’t complete until Cuba’s people are free. Everyday Life Under Strain: In Santiago de Cuba, state media touted a fair as “enjoyed,” but attendees complained about payment problems and lack of access—another reminder of the gap between official narratives and daily reality. Culture & Memory: Cuba marks Fidel Castro’s centenary amid deep crisis, with events and tributes continuing across the island and abroad.

Cuban Politics & Rights: Guillermo del Sol remains in critical condition after nearly 60 days on hunger strike, with family and activists warning he needs continuous medical monitoring while still demanding the release of political prisoners. Diplomacy: Cuba’s ambassador in the Dominican Republic downplayed the expulsion of nine Cuban diplomats, framing it as resilience amid an “energy blockade,” while critics question the real motives. Everyday Life Under Strain: The state has effectively washed its hands of school uniforms, pushing families toward pricey private made-to-order options. Religion & Community: Costa Rica’s Episcopal Conference donated 20,000 unconsecrated hosts to Cuba as blackouts and supply shortages disrupt wafer production. Culture & Protest: A street performance in Santiago de Cuba turned a busy avenue into a public call for freedom and resistance. Sports & Youth: Cuban baseball faces a crisis as children and teens spend months without competition, demotivated by the energy-driven suspension of youth championships. Cultural Spotlight: Karol G’s Latin fantasia at SoFi Stadium leaned into Afro-Cuban classics and Celia Cruz-style singalongs.

Fidel Castro centenary in Cuba: Cuba marked Fidel’s 100th birthday with major cultural events in Havana, including a spectacle at the Karl Marx Theater attended by Raúl Castro, Díaz-Canel, and family, as the regime doubled down on “Fidel lives forever” messaging while the island faces a worsening energy squeeze. Cuban repression spotlight: Influencer Anna Bensi and her mother face a criminal trial tied to a video recorded at their home, after years of surveillance and internet restrictions—another reminder of how quickly dissent can turn into court cases. Diplomacy backlash: The Dominican Republic’s expulsion of at least nine Cuban diplomats sparked criticism and accusations of geopolitical motives, with opponents calling it “dictatorial” and raising questions about U.S. influence. Power and shortages reality check: A separate report describes Cuba’s blackout crisis and forecasts a massive electricity deficit during peak demand, undercutting official propaganda about “calculated” suffering. International solidarity: Namibia’s president renewed calls for the complete lifting of the U.S. embargo on Cuba during Fidel’s centenary events, framing it as collective punishment of ordinary people. U.S. immigration pressure on Cubans: A U.S. immigration court story describes mass deportation hearings, including cases involving a Cuban man, with people ordered removed “in absentia” after missed appearances.

Fidel Centenary, Cuba’s Crisis Backdrop: Cuba marked Fidel Castro’s 100th birthday with major ceremonies and cultural tributes, including events in Santiago de Cuba and a first birth at Holguín’s Lenin Hospital timed to the centenary. Humanitarian Pressure: The UN warns that U.S. sanctions are chilling shipping and finance, delaying cancer drugs and water-treatment gear as “overcompliance” spreads. Daily Life Under Strain: Cubans continue to report blackouts and food shortages, with one Havana mother describing her sick son’s suffering during outages. Healthcare Support on the Ground: Santiago de Cuba’s main hospital received five ambulances for emergency care, while Russia also donated vehicles to other provinces. U.S.-Cuba Tensions: The U.S. is reportedly putting a military option against Cuba on hold and leaning more on economic pressure; meanwhile, the U.S. embassy says it met activists and independent journalists after State Security blocked people from an American independence event. Immigration & Crime: A Cuban national in Florida pleaded guilty to alien smuggling and asylum fraud tied to fake ESTA/visa-waiver claims. Culture & Books: At the Havana Book Fair, Venezuelan poet José Javier Sánchez presented “From being language to not being forgotten,” strengthening Cuba-Venezuela literary ties. Regional Echoes: Namibia’s president renewed calls to lift the U.S. embargo, linking Castro’s legacy to Africa’s liberation struggles.

Fidel Centenary, Cuba & the world: Cuba marked Fidel Castro’s 100th birthday with ceremonies and tributes stretching from Havana to Biran, Holguín, and Venezuela, where Cuban diplomats joined Venezuelan officials at the National Pantheon in Caracas. Diplomacy & culture: A photo exhibition opened at the UN in Washington, D.C., spotlighting Fidel’s visits to the U.S. and framing his legacy around sovereignty and social justice. Cuba’s daily strain: Havana’s water system took another hit after a pipeline breakdown left parts of eastern neighborhoods without service, with repairs scheduled and supply restored in stages. Migration and family fallout: In South Florida, polling and debate swirl around U.S. deportations of Cubans, while TikTok stories show the human cost—families returning to Cuba after long waits, and pregnant women facing shocking ER bills in the U.S. Safety at sea: Two young Cubans drowned off Pinar del Río during an illegal trafficking attempt aimed at Cancún. U.S.-Cuba tensions: Cuba condemned the Dominican Republic’s expulsion of Cuban diplomats, calling it pressure tied to Washington. Solidarity in action: Ireland’s Bohemian FC and Massive Attack unveiled a Cuba-themed jersey, with profits earmarked for medical aid amid the blockade.

Fidel Castro Centenary in Cuba: Cuba marked Fidel Castro’s 100th birthday with state-backed cultural events and an international colloquium in Havana, as Díaz-Canel vowed to defend “social justice” and blamed the island’s deepening crisis on the U.S. fuel blockade and sanctions. International Solidarity & Africa Links: Namibia’s president hailed Castro as a “friend of Africa,” pointing to Cuba’s role in southern Africa’s liberation struggle, while Cuba’s centenary programming also drew global leftist delegations. Health Under Pressure: Russia donated three ambulances to Havana, Matanzas, and Santiago de Cuba, with officials framing it as support amid shortages and a worsening emergency system. Food & Energy Strain: China delivered a third shipment of 15,000 tons of rice tied to the centenary, part of a larger aid package that Beijing links to “solidarity” during Cuba’s energy and food crisis. Diaspora Reality Check: A Cuban in Spain said her Spanish nationality process is stalled for months because she’s waiting on a legalized Cuban criminal record certificate. Culture & Memory: In Las Tunas, an activist condemned the vandalism of a bust of General Antonio Maceo, arguing the hero “belongs to Cuba,” not to any regime. Art & Storytelling: Theater in the U.S. highlighted “ISLA,” a memoir-style show about a Cuban family’s revolution-era life and emigration.

Fidel Castro Centenary: Cuba marks Fidel Castro’s 100th birthday with international events, book fairs, concerts, and exhibitions, while the debate over his legacy stays sharp as the island battles a deepening economic and political squeeze tied to U.S. pressure. Education & Memory: Holguín honors pioneers of education and literacy volunteers in centenary-linked tributes that spotlight how schooling became part of Cuba’s revolutionary identity. Culture & Music: Broadway in South Florida is set to bring Cuban-rooted storytelling to Miami and Fort Lauderdale, with “Buena Vista Social Club” headlining the season—another reminder of how Cuban culture travels. Sports & Civic Life: Holguín’s “August 13th” Cup turns centenary commemoration into a family-and-fitness event, blending athletics with political-cultural programming. International Solidarity: Activists and solidarity groups from dozens of countries arrive for the José Martí Brigade, delivering aid and discussing Cuba’s political and economic reality. U.S.-Cuba Tensions: Reports say the CIA is expanding covert operations targeting Cuba, as Havana and Moscow reaffirm close ties. Immigration Pressure (U.S.): A separate U.S. visa bond policy goes permanent for 50 countries, raising alarms for tourism and travel.

Fidel Centenary in Havana: Cuba opened a major international colloquium, “Fidel: Legacy and Future,” drawing 1,500 participants from 63 countries, with Díaz-Canel framing the revolution’s gains in health, education, and culture while acknowledging today’s shortages and electricity gaps. Propaganda at Home: In Holguín, officials rolled out “100 piñatas” for children tied to Castro’s centenary—an upbeat spectacle amid reports of deeper daily hardship. U.S. Pressure Intensifies: A new CIA task force is reported to target Cuba’s political elite with intelligence collection and influence operations aimed at driving leadership “changes.” Energy Crisis on the Ground: Havana residents describe life shrinking around fuel shortages and blackouts, with families struggling to eat and keep basic routines going. Immigration Crackdown Hits Cubans: ICE arrested a Cuban truck driver in Florida over an expired CDL and a deportation order. U.S. Citizenship Fraud Case: A Cuban woman was convicted for hiding her role in a $4.6M healthcare fraud scheme during her U.S. naturalization. Culture & Solidarity: A Miami livestream benefit—featuring Marc Anthony, Luis Fonsi, Chayanne, Feid, and others—will raise money for earthquake victims in Venezuela and Colombia.

U.S. Immigration & Courts: A Miami federal jury convicted Cuban national Tania Rosa Rodriguez of fraudulently obtaining U.S. citizenship by hiding her role in a $4.6M healthcare fraud scheme during naturalization; she faces up to 10 years. Immigration Enforcement: ICE arrested a Cuban man in Florida with an expired commercial driver’s license after a final removal order, as DHS expands crackdowns on risky CDL fraud. Birthright Citizenship Politics: Marco Rubio announced visa revocations tied to “birth tourism” networks, framing it as stopping citizenship obtained through fraud or deception. Cuba’s Daily Reality: A new report highlights how shortages and blackouts in Cuba are eroding long-term planning and mental health, leaving young people living in uncertainty. Fidel Castro Centenary: Cuba marks Fidel Castro’s 100th birthday amid celebrations and deep skepticism, as the revolution’s legacy collides with today’s food, water, and power crises. Culture & Community: GVL Gozadera Festival returns Aug. 27–31 with salsa, bachata, and Afro-Cuban dance workshops. Tech & Education (Diaspora): Mark Cuban Foundation launches a free adult “Agentic AI Academy” in Dallas with Lift Our Voices.

Cuban Courts & Privacy: Activist Anna Bensi and her mother, Caridad Silvente, are confirmed for trial after recording a MININT agent’s visit, with charges tied to “acts against personal and family privacy.” Fidel Centenary vs Daily Strain: As Cuba marks Fidel Castro’s 100th with exhibitions and conferences, many Cubans point to shortages of food and water and chronic power cuts as the revolution’s toughest test yet. Diplomacy & Culture in Havana: The First International Colloquium “Fidel: Legacy and Future” continues in Havana with talks on foreign policy, education, health, and youth movements, drawing 1,500 delegates from 60 countries. Book Fair Spotlight: The 34th Havana International Book Fair opens with Fidel-themed tributes and Russia as guest of honor, running through mid-August and touring the island. Healthcare Tensions: A viral confrontation at Ciego de Ávila’s Provincial Hospital shows desperate relatives clashing with police amid a severe medication and care crisis. US-Cuba Politics: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Cuba will be on an “irreversible” path under Trump, but not overnight, and he frames the push as U.S. national interest rather than personal ties. Immigration Human Stories: A Cuban child deported to Guyana after his father’s sudden death is left alone, while his mother struggles to bring him back. Arts & Community: Ex-Met Jose Iglesias is set for a Broadway debut in “Buena Vista Social Club,” and Holguín’s youth and storytelling groups keep culture moving through workshops and outdoor reading projects.