AGP Executive Report

Human Rights Under Fire: The UN’s top human-rights official says U.S. sanctions are driving child deaths in Cuba, citing doubled infant mortality and worse cancer survival as medicines and supplies run short. Healthcare Fallout: Cuba’s state media echoes the same crisis—surgeries delayed, dialysis disrupted, and key medicines missing—while 100,000 young children reportedly lose daily milk and vaccine programs face risk. Energy Pressure: The blockade-linked fuel squeeze is also hitting daily life and services, with Cuba reporting major treatment backlogs and medication shortages tied to restricted imports. Sanctions Reach Beyond Medicine: Cuba’s energy system remains under strain as the U.S. tightens pressure on the island’s oil and gas sector, raising fears that reforms won’t arrive fast enough. Crisis at the Border of Aid: A major U.S.-linked delivery platform for Cuba, envioscuba.com, has stopped taking new orders, though previously approved deliveries will continue. Aftershocks in the West: A week after a 6.1 quake, a 4.9 aftershock rattled western Cuba and was felt across Florida.

Humanitarian Crisis: The UN’s top human-rights official says U.S. sanctions are driving child deaths in Cuba, with infant mortality reportedly doubling and cancer survival falling as doctors lack medicines and supplies. Sanctions Pressure: The same coverage links the worsening to intensified fuel and medical restrictions, arguing the hardship is being used to force political change. Power Outages in Santiago: Residents in San Ricardo, Santiago de Cuba, protested days without electricity, accusing officials of enjoying privileges while neighborhoods “are dying,” and reporting police arrived quickly. Economic Reform Debate: Cuban researchers and commentators are reacting skeptically to Díaz-Canel’s new reform package, saying it changes the language but not the underlying lack of autonomy and rights. Diplomatic Pushback: Cuba’s ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago rejects U.S. claims tied to Raúl Castro and warns sanctions are crippling health care and delaying surgeries for over 100,000 patients.

Human Rights Alarm: The UN’s top human-rights official says U.S. sanctions are contributing to children’s deaths in Cuba, citing doubled infant mortality and worse cancer survival as families face medicine shortages. Energy Crisis Reality Check: Guantánamo’s state media claims the province is “completely electrified,” but residents and reports point to long blackouts tied to damaged power infrastructure and missing parts. Reform Push Under Pressure: President Díaz-Canel unveiled sweeping economic reforms aimed at cutting bureaucracy, easing rules for agriculture and foreign trade, and giving more autonomy to sectors—while critics call it “late Chinese reforms.” Local Bureaucracy Strain: In Matanzas, people report 14 months trapped in paperwork to legalize academic documents, showing how delays keep citizens stuck even after paying. Repression Watch: State Security harassment continues around Santa Clara and Contramaestre, targeting families of political prisoners after anti-government posters appeared. Violence in Cárdenas: A 17-year-old died after a fight involving another teenager, with the incident unfolding amid early-morning chaos and power/transport problems.

Economic Overhaul: President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced sweeping 2026 reforms to revive Cuba’s economy, cut bureaucracy, expand flexibility for agriculture, loosen foreign trade rules, and reduce ministries from 27 to 20—while promising more room for private activity and foreign investment. Energy Crisis Fallout: Havana residents are bracing for higher costs after a new cooking gas tariff reportedly nearly doubles, and Santiago de Cuba families say transformers are being removed with no replacement timeline, leaving neighborhoods cooking in the dark. Humanitarian Alarm: The UN human rights chief warned that U.S. sanctions and the blockade of medical supplies are contributing to children’s deaths in Cuba, citing doubled infant mortality and worse cancer survival rates. Public Health Strain: A mother in Cuba says an ambulance was denied for her son with cerebral palsy and oxygen needs, while officials acknowledge the emergency system meets less than 40% of demand. Social Impact: Cubans in Bayamo shared viral footage of a conga in horse carriages during blackouts—celebration mixed with frustration at long outages. Leadership & Loss: Monsignor Silvano Pedroso, the first Black bishop in Cuba, died at 73.

Humanitarian Crisis Under Scrutiny: The UN’s human rights chief Volker Türk says U.S. sanctions are contributing to children’s deaths in Cuba, citing doubled infant mortality and worse cancer survival as doctors lack essential medicines. Economic Reform Push: President Díaz-Canel unveiled Cuba’s broadest economic opening in decades, aiming to expand market activity, boost private work, and attract foreign investment, while Cubans react with skepticism that reforms are just familiar promises. Inflation Spike: New figures show prices surging—Cuba’s inflation is up sharply year-on-year, with the informal market far worse as the peso keeps sliding. Energy Crisis Fallout: Power cuts are driving daily suffering, with residents describing “psychological torture” from near-constant blackouts and uneven electricity even during official visits. U.S. Aid Accusations: Cuba’s foreign minister Bruno Rodríguez says Washington has no real interest in delivering promised humanitarian aid, pointing to long delays. Security and Services Hit: ETECSA reports sabotage and thefts knocking out telecom service in Santiago de Cuba, while WhatsApp scams using gas-station ads are spreading. Solidarity Abroad: Pro-Cuba groups in Los Angeles and other places are mobilizing around the World Cup, urging support and warning of immigration risks.

UN Human Rights: UN chief Volker Türk says U.S. sanctions are driving child deaths in Cuba, citing doubled infant mortality and worse cancer survival as doctors lack medicines. Energy Crisis: Cuba’s Guiteras power plant is back online after a week of repairs, but blackouts keep hitting daily life, including in Guantánamo. Sanctions Tighten: Havana condemns new U.S. oil restrictions on CUPET, calling them “criminal blockade” and warning they’re choking food and medicine distribution. Fuel Supply Blocked: Florida-based Vanguard Energy halts what would have been the biggest U.S. fuel shipment to Cuba since 1960 after added sanctions create “operational restrictions.” Economic Overhaul: President Díaz-Canel unveils reforms to liberalize parts of the economy—more municipal authority, easier business creation, foreign investment, and renewable tech—aimed at surviving pressure. World Cup Backlash: A boycott campaign targets the U.S.-hosted World Cup over U.S. actions toward Cuba and Venezuela, while tightened entry rules already bar some staff and fans. Earthquake: A 6.1 quake off western Cuba shook Havana and was felt across Florida, with no major damage reported.

Cuba Sanctions Crisis: The UN human rights chief Volker Türk says U.S. sanctions are driving child deaths in Cuba, citing doubled infant mortality and worse cancer survival as doctors lack medicines. Economic Overhaul: President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced sweeping 2026 reforms—more autonomy for state firms, fewer state intermediaries in imports/exports, expanded private activity, and new room for Cubans abroad to invest—aimed at easing shortages and attracting capital. Energy Pressure Escalates: Washington imposed fresh sanctions on CUPET, while Cuba’s foreign minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla called Rubio’s claims “crude lies,” warning the energy blockade is tightening daily life. Havana Syndrome Backtrack: Tulsi Gabbard rescinded Biden-era intelligence assessments on Havana Syndrome, saying the reviews failed analytic standards and relied on an ethically flawed medical study. Global Context: A new report says Russia is running influence and misinformation operations across 13 Latin American countries, including Cuba.

Sanctions and energy squeeze: Cuba’s government is denouncing fresh U.S. sanctions targeting state oil giant CUPET, saying Washington is tightening a “vengeful” economic and energy blockade as fuel imports get harder and blackouts keep hitting daily life. Humanitarian fallout: The UN human rights chief warns that U.S. sanctions are contributing to children’s deaths in Cuba, citing doubled infant mortality and worse outcomes for childhood cancer as medical supplies run short. Education under blackout pressure: Reports say Cuba’s energy crisis is disrupting schooling, with teachers missing posts and classes delayed or cut short, raising fears of long-term damage to a generation. Political prisoners at record levels: Prisoners Defenders says the number of political prisoners hit a new high of 1,281 in May, with many cases tied to protests over blackouts, food and water shortages. Tourism dries up: Reuters finds foreign visitors thinning out at Cuba’s once-bustling sites, with major tourism players scaling back amid the crisis. U.S. pressure expands beyond Cuba: The U.S. also faces scrutiny over ICE detention mismanagement in Texas, where a federal report links poor oversight to deaths and dangerous conditions.

Sanctions on Cuba’s oil machine: The U.S. added state-owned Unión Cuba-Petróleo (CUPET) to OFAC’s blacklist, freezing U.S.-linked assets and warning that Americans and foreign firms face penalties for dealing with the company, as Marco Rubio says Cuba’s energy is used for “social control” and elite profit. Humanitarian fallout: The UN human rights chief Volker Türk said U.S. sanctions are contributing to child deaths in Cuba, citing doubled infant mortality and worsening access to medicines, including for cancer care. Medical system strain: Cuba’s deputy health minister said 95,555 people are awaiting general surgery and 5,152 await cancer treatment, with hemodialysis hit by supply limits, power outages, and water problems. Political crackdown: Prisoners Defenders reports Cuba reached a record 1,281 political prisoners at end of May, with new arrests tied to protests over shortages and outages. Energy pressure and Cuba’s response: Cuba says the U.S. energy blockade is strangling international agencies and worsening daily life, while Cuba’s leadership warns of escalating U.S. pressure. Sports note: Cuba’s men’s volleyball team lost its debut in the Volleyball Nations League to Poland in three sets.

Fuel Deal Watch: A Coral Gables company, Vanguard Energy, has signed a contract to lease Cuban state storage tanks and ship up to 250,000 barrels of diesel and gasoline for Cuba’s private sector—an unusually big U.S.-to-island fuel move in decades, with safeguards meant to keep the fuel from the Cuban government. Humanitarian Alarm: The UN’s top human rights official Volker Türk says U.S. blockade pressure is driving child deaths in Cuba, citing shortages tied to fuel and sanctions that cripple healthcare and basic services. Sanctions Pushback: The White House defended its Cuba sanctions after the UN warning, saying they target leaders and entities supporting “subversion,” while Cuba and allies call it collective punishment. Military Pressure: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Guantánamo Bay and warned Cuba that seeking weapons that could reach the U.S. would “invite confrontation,” while also hinting at possible improved ties if Havana changes course. Tourism Fallout: Varadero’s luxury hotels and workers are described as the main victims of Cuba’s tourism collapse, with precarious livelihoods and fewer visitors. Rights Under Pressure: Reports highlight young Cubans detained without clear information, with families struggling to learn where detainees are held. Health & Environment: Saharan dust brought hazy conditions and health risks in the region, with officials urging caution for respiratory problems.

Guantanamo Pressure: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Guantanamo Bay and warned Cuba not to seek weapons that could reach the U.S. homeland or the base, saying it would invite a confrontation Havana “could not stand,” as Washington tightens sanctions and an energy blockade. Diplomatic Pushback: Cuba’s top envoy in Washington rejected the idea that sanctions are about security, calling them a “pretext” for military action, while international lawyers condemned the blockade and war threats as violations of international law. Health Under Blockade: Cuba reaffirmed its commitment to public health despite U.S. pressure, highlighting the reactivation of cytostatic drug production for cancer patients as an example of biotech resilience. Sanctions’ Human Cost: UN-linked reporting and Cuban officials continue to point to rising hardship, including child deaths tied to shortages, as Cuba seeks biotech collaboration abroad, including with India. Energy Crisis Reality: A new wave of blackouts is fueling daily unrest in Havana, with residents reporting long outages and protest “cacerolazos.” U.S.-Cuba Tensions in Context: The week also brought broader U.S. messaging about Cuba’s future, alongside heightened military readiness language.

Sanctions and invasion talk: Cuba’s top diplomat in Washington, Lianys Torres Rivera, says new U.S. sanctions on Cuban leaders and the indictment of Raúl Castro are a “pretext” to push Americans toward military intervention, calling the situation “a war without bombs.” Energy squeeze and daily survival: Reuters reports Cuba’s seniors are being hit hardest as fuel shortages and blackouts deepen after the U.S. cut off island fuel, with retirees describing a system that promised pensions and basic services now failing them. Human rights alarm: UN High Commissioner Volker Türk warns that U.S. sanctions are endangering lives, saying children are dying because doctors lack essential medicines and supplies. Tourism collapse: Reuters finds foreign tourists thinning out sharply at Havana and other iconic sites as U.S. pressure and sanctions deter major hotel and travel operators. New land law draft: 14ymedio reports Cuba’s draft Agricultural and Forestry Land Law would protect socialist state ownership while limiting land transfers to foreigners, though usufruct access could open doors. Pension pressure: A separate report highlights rising costs and shortages squeezing retirees across Havana. Guantánamo visit: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to travel to Guantánamo Bay and then Tampa amid heightened pressure on Havana. Local protest under blackouts: In El Cotorro, residents held a pots-and-pans protest against the dictatorship during a blackout, shouting “Down with the dictatorship.”

Cuba-U.S. Tensions: Cuba’s top envoy to Washington, Lianys Torres Rivera, says new U.S. sanctions on Cuban leaders and the Raúl Castro indictment are a “pretext” to push Americans toward military action, calling the pressure a “war without bombs.” Humanitarian Alarm: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warns the tightened blockade is worsening Cuba’s fuel, food, water, and medical shortages, saying “children are dying” as doctors lack essential supplies. Sanctions and Payments: ICAP and Amistur S.A. denounce U.S. Treasury sanctions as slander meant to break solidarity ties, while Cuba’s leadership also points to energy restrictions as part of a broader squeeze. Earthquake Fallout: A 6.1 quake off Cuba triggered evacuations and inspections in Florida, with residents reporting shaking and families struggling to reach relatives on the island. Migration Pressure: Brazilian authorities rescued 108 Cuban migrants from a smuggling network near the Guyana border and arrested five alleged “coyotes.” Policy Inside Cuba: Cuba’s government is drafting a major restructuring of agriculture, replacing the Ministry of Agriculture with a larger agro-food super ministry ahead of July 2026 approval. Diplomacy & Sports: Qatar’s Olympic Committee met Cuba’s ambassador to discuss sports cooperation and Olympic exchanges.

Earthquake Watch: A 6.1-magnitude quake off Cuba’s west coast shook Havana and sent tremors across Florida as far north as Orlando, with evacuations reported and no tsunami threat. U.S.-Cuba Pressure: Cuba’s president says Washington is weighing three paths—economic strangulation to spark unrest, coercive talks to seize the economy, or military aggression—while new sanctions target Cuba’s leadership. Humanitarian Aid: Mexico and Belize delivered 1,700 tons of basic necessities to Cuba, as the island faces fuel shortages, blackouts, and food insecurity. Defense Signals: Reports claim Cuba is mobilizing territorial militias amid rising invasion fears, adding to the tense geopolitical backdrop. Cuban Society: An influencer’s viral message rejects “getting used to misery,” while Havana residents describe days of electricity and water only in short bursts. Border/Tech Crackdown: Cuban customs seized Starlink equipment shipments at Cienfuegos, warning of criminal penalties.

Earthquake Watch: A magnitude 6.1 quake off Cuba’s western coast shook buildings across Havana and sent tremors through Florida from Miami-Dade to Central Florida and as far north as Tallahassee; Miami evacuated parts of the Stephen P. Clark Government Center and briefly shut down Metrorail/Metromover stations, while officials reported no major damage or injuries and no tsunami threat. Human Rights & Sanctions: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned that expanded U.S. sanctions are harming Cubans and endangering lives, saying children are dying because doctors lack medicines and supplies, and urged the measures be lifted immediately. U.S.-Cuba Pressure: Cuban President Díaz-Canel again denounced Washington’s “maximum pressure” strategy, saying it aims to provoke unrest and justify possible intervention, while the U.S. continues sanctioning Cuban entities and leaders. Power Crisis Protest: In Havana, residents blocked the Vía Blanca after days without electricity, banging pots and pans to protest outages that also disrupt water and daily life. Travel Hit: Canada’s WestJet (and Sunwing) indefinitely suspended flights to Cuba, citing the “operating environment,” with refunds and rebooking options for existing travelers.

Fuel Crisis & Daily Life: Cuba’s almendrones are sitting idle as a worsening fuel shortage—blamed on the U.S. energy blockade—keeps thousands waiting for gasoline through a reservation app. Humanitarian Strain in Religious Life: In Havana, nuns say electricity limits their ability to sustain ministries, including producing hosts for parishes, as fuel shortages deepen the humanitarian crisis. Power Outages: Cubans describe life under rolling blackouts, with some areas seeing 20+ hours without electricity and cascading problems for water, cooking, and sleep. U.S. Pressure & Security Fears: Reports say Cuba has begun distributing weapons to civilians while warning people to “prepare” amid heightened tensions and talk of possible U.S. action. Tourism & Business Exodus: Wall Street Journal reporting points to a corporate pullback as sanctions bite, with major hotel operators and payment services suspending operations or transactions. Diaspora Investment Push: Cuba is inviting emigrants to invest and even manage hotels, using a new state-backed pathway through embassies and consular support. Cuban Culture & Memory: Literary releases in May spotlight exile, memory, and the human cost of mass departures, reinforcing how Cuba’s story is being told from both inside and outside the island.