AGP Executive Report

Cuban Sanctions Escalation: The U.S. Treasury added Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel, his wife Lis Cuesta Peraza, and stepson Manuel Anido Cuesta to its sanctions list, alongside Alejandro Castro Espín (“El Tuerto”) and relatives tied to Raúl Castro, plus entities including MINFAR, the CDR, ICAP, Amistur Cuba, and Minera La Victoria—freezing assets under U.S. jurisdiction and restricting U.S. dealings, as Havana condemned the move and warned it aims to reinforce an energy blockade that has fueled blackouts and shortages. Tourism & Finance Pressure: Reporting links the sanctions push to Cuba’s tourism squeeze and foreign exits, with GAESA repeatedly cited as a key economic gatekeeper, while Visa and Mastercard access is reported to be disrupted amid the broader crackdown. Energy & Telecom Resilience: Cuba’s Etecsa in Holguín installed seven photovoltaic modules to keep basic phone and data services running during the electricity crisis, targeting continuity and autonomy for thousands of subscribers. Tech & Internet Noise: Separate from Cuba, Cloudflare says AI agents now generate most web traffic—an “agentic” shift that’s reshaping how online services are used and scaled. Health & Biosecurity Watch: In Texas, officials confirmed the first New World screwworm case, highlighting how animal-health outbreaks can quickly ripple into food and livestock costs.

Tourism Shock: Spain’s Meliá is cutting back in Cuba, stopping management/commercialization and brand licensing for 15 hotels as US sanctions and energy constraints keep many properties non-operational. Payments Freeze: Cuba’s central bank says Visa and Mastercard transactions will be suspended from June 6 after a foreign banking partner pulled services, hitting goods and services payments and worsening the tourism squeeze. Sanctions Pressure on GAESA: The card cutoff follows expanded US sanctions targeting GAESA, with Havana denying the conglomerate is used to enrich elites. Energy & Waste Crisis: Havana’s garbage crisis is spiraling as power outages and fuel shortages stall trash pickup, leaving residents dealing with rotting refuse, flies, and burning waste. Health Innovation: Cuba’s CIM highlights VAXIRA, a lung cancer vaccine treatment, as it marks another milestone for local biotech under blockade conditions. Diplomacy & Solidarity: China and Cuba reaffirm support at UN-level meetings, with Cuban officials stressing sovereignty and opposition to the blockade. Business Continuity: Sherritt appoints an interim CFO to manage filings and navigate Cuba-related sanctions and operational challenges.

Tourism Shock: Spain’s Meliá says it will stop managing 15 of 34 Cuba hotels after new U.S. sanctions tied to GAESA, adding to a fast-moving exodus that has already darkened many properties. Payments Freeze: Cuba’s central bank says Visa and Mastercard transactions will be suspended from June 6 after a foreign processor ended ties with FINCIMEX, cutting off card income for goods and services. Sanctions Pressure: The moves follow U.S. Executive Order actions aimed at GAESA and foreign “enablers,” with officials warning the latest steps deepen Cuba’s economic strain. Energy & Transport Fallout: A fire at Las Tunas’ provincial transport company is under investigation amid a broader collapse in passenger services linked to fuel and power shortages. Local Economic Recognition: Guantánamo’s Maisí was named host for July 26 activities, praised for net sales, exports, food production, and an energy transition push. Industry Culture Link: A new photo/video exhibit in Ohio highlights how diverse agriculture connects communities—an angle that resonates with Cuba’s own food and production challenges.

Tourism Exodus: Spanish firms are pulling back as U.S. pressure tightens. Iberia suspended Havana service, and Meliá says it is immediately stopping management and brand licensing for 15 Cuban hotels after U.S. extraterritorial threats tied to sanctions. Energy Shock: Cuba’s grid keeps failing. Reports describe up to 22 hours of outages in Havana, pot-banging protests, and police pressure on demonstrators. Even Cuban National TV lost power mid-broadcast, underscoring how deep the electricity crisis has become. Sanctions Pressure: UN experts warn Washington’s coercion against Cuba “echoes colonial-era practices,” pointing to fuel blockades and third-party restrictions. A new U.S. executive order (14404) is framed as a near-total disconnection from trade and financing. Local Industry & Infrastructure: Cuba’s state power sector is struggling with repeated failures, including outages linked to substation problems and major plant unit shutdowns. External Support: Russia says it is coordinating steps with Havana to help Cuba navigate the crisis, citing recent oil deliveries amid renewed fuel disruptions.

US-Cuba Sanctions Pressure on GAESA: Cuba rejected new U.S. sanctions tied to the Business Administration Group (GAE/GAESA), arguing the conglomerate is a “response of proven efficiency” to the blockade and denying claims of opacity as foreign firms reportedly cut back operations ahead of OFAC deadlines. Humanitarian Logistics Hit by Blockade: The UN says the U.S. blockade is blocking humanitarian entry, with WFP reporting 11,000 tons stuck at Cuban ports and fuel shortages disrupting distribution, after a May 1 order penalized foreign shipping. Energy Crisis and Industry Strain: Cuba’s fuel and power crunch continues to ripple through production and services, including reports of CUPET refining tests using domestic crude to support solvent needs for oilfield injection and thermoelectric operations. Public Health Measures in Guantánamo: Local authorities called for new dengue-control steps while also installing solar kits at key ETECSA locations to ease energy constraints. Cultural Infrastructure: Holguín’s Eddy Suñol Theater marked its 87th anniversary, with plans to reopen in a smaller lobby hall after hurricane damage. Trade/Transport Disruption: Iberia suspended direct Madrid–Havana flights until November, adding to tourism and connectivity pressure. Policy Protest in Washington: Codepink activists confronted Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a Senate hearing demanding an end to the blockade, citing blackouts and shortages faced by Cubans.

Energy & Refining: CUPET says it has refined 100% domestic crude at the Hermanos Díaz refinery in Santiago de Cuba, running a test of about 20,000 tons to produce solvent (naphtha) and other cuts needed to keep Varadero’s production and thermoelectric supply moving. Fuel Crisis Reality Check: Cubans are improvising transport as gasoline prices soar, with one Holguín resident turning a motorized bicycle into a pedal-only setup after fuel became unaffordable. Sanctions & GAESA: Cuba’s government escalates its response to U.S. pressure by targeting GAESA in a new Granma statement, warning Washington aims to isolate Cuba commercially, financially, energetically and diplomatically, with secondary sanctions tied to foreign firms. Currency Pressure: The informal market dollar hits a new record at 595 CUP, while the euro slips to 635 CUP, adding strain to imports and everyday costs. Tourism & Air Links: Iberia suspends direct Madrid–Havana flights until November, citing Cuba’s crisis and demand drop, further squeezing an already battered tourism pipeline. Diplomacy & Risk: UN officials say Cuba is seeking international support against U.S. military aggression, as lawmakers press Marco Rubio on Iran and broader foreign policy.

Cuba’s Energy Crunch Hits Education: UNESCO warns Cuba’s education system is at risk as blackouts and fuel shortages force the government to end the school year early and start a gradual shutdown from June 15, leaving many students without power for long stretches. Power-Plant Repair Strain: Cuba’s Guiteras thermoelectric plant is again under pressure, with reports of complex repairs and outages tied to raw-water and operational failures. Energy Access via Private Solar: Holguín is seeing a first photovoltaic charging station under a non-state model, offering 24/7 charging for electric tricycles and phones, plus a small retail supply hub. Food Supply Stress: A flour shortage is worsening bread problems in Ciego de Ávila, while broader fuel and water shortages deepen daily survival costs. Sanctions and GAESA Fallout: The U.S. sanctions push continues to ripple through tourism and logistics, with major hotel operators exiting or suspending Cuba operations amid GAESA-linked restrictions. U.S.-Cuba Military Tensions: New reporting and congressional moves highlight fears of escalation, including calls to block any Cuba military action without authorization. Local Industry & Infrastructure Risks: Reports also flag damage and collapse risks in aging infrastructure and growing pressure on transport systems as Cuba leans on private-sector fixes.

Power & Utilities: Cuba’s grid keeps failing: UNE says the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant is back offline after a “lack of raw water,” while the director admitted repeated breakdowns tied to economizer components and warned repairs can’t keep up. Food Industry: In Ciego de Ávila, flour shortages are cutting regulated bread to “two days” of coverage, forcing bakeries to shift to wood-fired or mixed processes and rely on private contracts for pastries. Cost of Living & Currency: The informal USD rate hit a new high at 585 CUP, widening the gap with the official rate and deepening pressure on imports and production inputs. Energy Crisis & Social Impact: Blackouts are driving fresh street protests in Centro Habana, with residents reporting repeated outages after brief restorations. International Trade/Industry: Cuba’s participation in the Eurasian Economic Union is moving forward, with Cuba’s VP Valdés Mesa meeting Kazakhstan’s Tokayev on AI and digital cooperation, plus talks on medicine and pharmaceuticals. Sanctions & Risk: U.S. pressure is also showing up in business and logistics—reports highlight GAESA and other targets amid warnings of escalation and possible intervention scenarios.

US-Cuba pressure and sanctions: The U.S. sanctioned GAESA, the military-linked conglomerate tied to Cuba’s economy and aid flows, as Marco Rubio and OFAC framed it as a regime-controlled money machine. Telecom and daily life: Cuba’s communications ministry denied a rumored 3-hour daily mobile internet cap, while officials indirectly pointed to energy strain and solar workarounds. Power grid strain: Santiago de Cuba’s electric company admitted outages can exceed promised service, and the Guiteras plant again went offline after raw-water problems, with repair estimates stretching several days. Energy transition with friction: In Ciego de Ávila, critics warn new solar parks at Cayo Coco could harm wildlife and protected forest areas. Local transport experiment: Artemisa launched a “state transport with vision” pilot with higher fares, sparking backlash over affordability versus wages. Food and currency stress: Reports say flour and bread aren’t reaching Ciego de Ávila, while the informal dollar rate hit a new record near 580 CUP. Infrastructure failures: A partial collapse at an old café in Colón, Matanzas, followed years of warnings; a nearby independence mausoleum also faced looting after fence damage. Security escalation fears: Former U.S. intelligence officials warned that military options against Cuba could backfire into humanitarian and migration crises.

Power & Water Crunch: Cuba’s Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant is again offline, this time blamed on “lack of raw water,” with repairs estimated at 72–96 hours—another reminder of how fragile the grid has become as the plant has already gone out of service repeatedly this year. Education Under Strain: UNESCO warns Cuban classrooms are at risk as blackouts and fuel shortages disrupt attendance and learning, while official media tries to pin the crisis on the U.S. blockade. Currency Pressure: The dollar hit a new informal-market record, closing May near 580 CUP after a three-day run-up, underscoring worsening access to foreign currency. Tourism Fallout: Spanish and Canadian operators are pulling back: Blue Diamond Resorts is reportedly exiting Cuba, and Spanish hotel groups are formalizing departures from GAESA-linked Gaviota ahead of a June 5 U.S. deadline. Energy Transition at Local Scale: Holguín’s SMEs are building a solar EV charging “solinera,” aiming to ease transport charging needs amid the province’s power problems. Geopolitics & Supplies: China vows continued support for Cuba’s economic survival as sanctions deepen, including recent rice shipments. Security Signaling: U.S. and Cuban military officials met at Guantánamo Bay to discuss perimeter security and maintain communications.

Energy & Education Fallout: UNESCO warns Cuba’s education is at risk as the U.S. blockade-driven energy crisis disrupts classes, attendance, and learning, with fuel and spare-part limits tied to the grid’s failures. Power Infrastructure Sabotage: In Santiago de Cuba, thieves stole solar panels from an Etecsa telecom backup system, knocking out outage support; it’s the second such theft in weeks. Food Supply Strain: Ciego de Ávila residents are getting bread only two days this May as flour deliveries fall to “negligible” levels, forcing bakeries to shift production lines. Diplomacy & Business Pressure: A U.S. businessman says he met Raul Castro’s grandson in Havana to discuss opening Cuba via business, amid heightened U.S.-Cuba tensions after new legal moves. Geopolitics & Military Risk: Cuban officials and analysts flag U.S. plans to create conditions for intervention, while the U.S. continues maximum pressure alongside claims of intelligence-linked threats. Regional Trade Pivot: Cuba’s vice president meets Eurasian partners in Astana, highlighting AI and medicine cooperation as the EAEU expands trade talks and links with Latin America.

Food Supply Crunch: Ciego de Ávila is getting only about 32 tonnes of flour for more than 430,000 people, leaving bread available just two days in May, as bakeries shift to “differentiated” flour for pastry lines. Energy & Logistics Pressure: Cuba’s wholesale food logistics chief says delays unloading China’s donated rice at Havana are tied to fuel limits linked to new U.S. executive orders, disrupting transport and production schedules. Humanitarian & Health Strain: A Pinar del Río mother says she’s been trying for two years to secure liquefied gas for her child with leukemia, describing smoke-filled cooking conditions and unanswered requests. Security & Military Signaling: U.S. Southern Command chief Gen. Francis Donovan met Cuban military leaders at the Guantánamo perimeter to discuss operational security, as both sides trade warnings over possible escalation. Diplomacy & Industry Links: Cuba’s VP Salvador Valdés Mesa met Kazakhstan and Belarus leaders at the EAEU summit, focusing on AI, medicine/pharma cooperation, and broader trade ties. Civil Society Pushback: The Cuban Association of the UN and civil society groups condemned the tightening U.S. blockade and media disinformation campaigns. External Scrutiny on Cuba-Linked Activism: CodePink co-founder Medea Benjamin says OFAC sent an inquiry tied to a Cuba trip, signaling tighter U.S. enforcement on nonprofit foreign-influence activity. Culture & Talent: Carlos Acosta’s Cuban Dance Academy graduates are set to perform in the UK, with new works reflecting migration and “empty spaces” in Cuba.

Energy & Water Collapse: Cuba’s energy crisis is worsening fast, with reports of water systems running on under 40% of needed fuel and millions lacking water as blackouts and fuel shortages hit hospitals and daily life. US Pressure & Sanctions: Havana says the U.S. is escalating a “criminal economic war” and warns the threat of aggression is growing, while analysts and officials describe a strategy aimed at accelerating societal breakdown without invasion. Renewables & Solar Aid: Cuba is turning to solar to keep hospitals running, with China donating solar kits for healthcare and water pumping. Food System Control: A Cuban military-linked business group (GAESA) is denounced at the UN over limiting access to food, with critics pointing to monopoly power and reduced domestic production. Fuel Distribution Workarounds: A new dollar-based propane sales channel is emerging alongside the ration-linked system, reflecting how households are adapting to shortages during blackouts. Regional Diplomacy: Cuba’s Vice President Salvador Mesa met with EAEU leaders in Astana, seeking investment and oil support as the island faces mounting humanitarian strain. Security & Surveillance: Satellite imagery shows upgrades at a China-linked spy facility near Havana, raising concerns about expanded monitoring in the Florida region.

Energy & Water Crisis: Cuba says its water system runs on just 37% of needed fuel, with nearly 3 million people facing shortages daily as the oil squeeze deepens and even basic maintenance and chemical imports stall. Humanitarian Aid Politics: The U.S. pledges $100M for Cuba but only through faith-based and nonprofit distributors, a move Havana calls contradictory while lawmakers cite sanctions’ hit to healthcare and surgery backlogs. Diplomacy & UN Pressure: Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez pressed the UN to stop what he calls U.S. aggression and a “naval blockade” effect from the energy embargo; China’s Wang Yi vowed support for Cuba and to oppose “power politics and bullying.” Regional Pushback: CARICOM members and some states split over statements condemning intensified U.S. measures; Trinidad and Tobago abstained while others warn of humanitarian fallout. Workforce Exodus: In Holguín, skilled workers are leaving, leaving gaps in trades like electrical, plumbing, and refrigeration and driving up costs through improvisation. Food & Shipping: China’s first rice shipments arrive as Cuba’s shortages worsen, while reports also flag shipping and fuel constraints shaping daily supply. Security Tensions: Multiple reports describe U.S. military readiness and contingency planning amid rising rhetoric, while Cuban officials deny seeking conflict and warn of escalation risks.

US-Cuba Pressure & Planning: Senior U.S. officials say Washington is preparing for a possible Cuban government collapse as early as this summer, using sanctions and “accelerationism” while drafting military response scenarios if unrest erupts. Energy & Humanitarian Fallout: The same pressure campaign is tied to Cuba’s worsening shortages—power outages, food spoilage, and heat-driven instability—while the U.S. also escalates legal pressure, including indicting Raúl Castro. China Steps In on Food: China’s foreign minister pledged support against “power politics and bullying” and backed Havana as the first 15,000 tons of rice arrived, with a total 60,000 tons planned. Regional Diplomacy Split: CARICOM foreign ministers condemned intensified U.S. measures, but Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago withheld support, showing growing regional divisions. Cuban Industry Hit: Tourism is described as unraveling, and Sherritt’s nickel operations are cited as another example of how the fuel blockade is squeezing Cuba’s productive sectors. Business & Trade Signals: ITB China 2026 closed with 23,500 attendees and a 20% net exhibition-area rise, underscoring ongoing global travel trade momentum even as Cuba’s economy strains.

Cuba Energy & Humanitarian Crisis: Cuba urged the UN to stop “threats of force,” warning U.S. sanctions and an “energy blockade” are worsening shortages and raising child mortality and cancer impacts. Regional Pressure: CARICOM foreign ministers voiced “profound concern” over intensifying U.S. economic and financial measures on Cuba, though Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago held back from the collective statement. Aid & Food Supply: Cuba received a humanitarian tranche from China amid severe hunger and economic strain, with Cuban officials stressing dialogue remains open. Power Grid Strain: Reports highlight critical electricity deficits and rolling blackouts, with fuel shortages pushing households toward charcoal and other stopgap energy sources. Industry Adaptation: Holguín’s Turquino Vegetable Canning Company is expanding revenue by selling via the Alimentos Cuba online platform and in foreign currency, adding new tomato and fruit-derivative products. Health R&D: Cuba showcased HEBERSaVax, a cancer vaccine candidate reporting positive Phase II results across multiple tumor types. Tourism Collapse: A Swiss-owned tour operator says Cuba tourism has cratered, with visitor numbers down sharply amid blackouts and infrastructure problems. Human Capital Hit: A Jamaican medical student in Cuba describes daily power outages, internet cuts, and food scarcity disrupting training. Migration Fallout: A new report says thousands of Cubans deported to Mexico face legal limbo and harsh conditions after the U.S. deportation surge. Sugar Sector Spotlight: Florida Crystals’ Alejandro “Alex” Morales was named a 2026 “Sugar Notable,” reflecting long ties to Cuba’s sugar industry.