AGP Executive Report

Cuba’s Free-Market Push: Cuba published new regulations in the Gaceta to attract foreign investment, trade and tourism, promising less red tape and faster processes as the island faces sanctions and chronic blackouts. Non-State Sector Boost: A new Decree-Law (No. 133) expands opportunities for municipal-level non-state economic actors, cutting requirements and allowing private businesses to hire over 100 workers. Tourism Outlook: Cuba’s tourism ministry says the country has 83,000+ hotel rooms and is reorganizing services to meet demand, with Varadero and Havana prioritized. Waste Crisis in Camagüey: A viral image of a massive garbage pile highlights how fuel shortages and failing municipal services are leaving solid waste collection in collapse. Food Security Support: WFP’s Nutrivida project is expanding maternal and child nutrition in Holguín and Mayabeque, linking local producers to social protection to fight anemia. Water Stress Warning: Reports say drought has driven the Cauto River to historic lows, forcing communities to cope with salty, muddy water.

Garbage Crisis in Camagüey: A viral video shows a massive garbage dump in the city center, highlighting how fuel shortages and failing municipal services leave waste piling up in public streets. Education Under Strain: Cuba’s 2026–2027 school year opens for 1.4M students amid energy limits, transport problems, and shortages, with officials promising flexible solutions so schooling continues. Power and Water Stress in Havana: Reports describe blackouts leaving Havana “thirsty” as pumps fail, worsening daily access to water. Cuba’s Reform vs. Sanctions: Cuba’s UN ambassador criticizes frequent U.S. sanctions while urging private investment, arguing the measures deepen outages, shortages, and economic pressure. Cuba and Nuclear Disarmament: Cuba calls for stronger international action against nuclear tests and backs global nuclear disarmament efforts. Cuban Tobacco Economy: A look at how the cigar industry—under monopoly control—remains a key revenue lifeline for Cuba’s economy. Global Climate Pressure: UN-linked reporting warns global warming is set to exceed 1.5°C, adding urgency to climate inequality debates raised in international forums.

Cuba’s Energy Strain Hits Schools: With fuel shortages and transport problems, Cuba’s 2026–2027 school year opens for 1.4 million students under tight conditions, as authorities say they’ll keep education guaranteed despite energy and material limits. Water and Power Stress in Havana: Reports describe blackouts leaving Havana short of water again, with pumps failing amid the wider collapse in electricity reliability. Drought and River Fallout: The Cauto River is reported at historic lows after drought, forcing communities to cope with salty, muddy water. Coral Reef Recovery Under Heat: A new study flags marine heatwaves as a major drag on coral reef recovery—an environmental warning that matters for Cuba’s surrounding seas. Global Climate Pressure: UN reporting says global warming is set to exceed 1.5°C, raising the stakes for extreme weather and coastal impacts across the Caribbean. Nuclear Disarmament Push: Cuba urges stronger international action on nuclear disarmament, calling out the need to stop nuclear tests and strengthen treaties. Sanctions and Reform Friction: Cuba’s UN ambassador criticizes U.S. sanctions while Washington urges private investment, arguing the restrictions worsen outages, shortages, and investor pullback. Tropical Storm Dolly Watch: Forecast coverage keeps attention on Dolly’s remnants and possible redevelopment near Cuba and the Florida Straits, with uncertainty lingering for the region. Solar Energy Losses and Lessons: A solar-focused Cuban story highlights how people are turning to panels at home—while also showing how broader instability shapes environmental and energy choices.

Cuba’s school year under strain: With fuel limits, transport problems and shortages still biting, Cuba opened the 2026-2027 school year while insisting education rights will hold—authorities cite flexibility and local adaptation to keep classes running. Energy and water pressures: Reports highlight Cuba’s ongoing blackouts and thirst in Havana as pumps fail, adding to daily hardship. Environmental diplomacy: Cuba urged stronger international action on nuclear disarmament, backing the TPNW and test-ban goals. Climate risk in the region: Tropical Storm Dolly’s remnants kept meteorologists watching for renewed rain and storm potential across the U.S. Southeast, with Cuba and the Bahamas in the moisture path. Renewables momentum abroad: China’s solar buildout surged past coal in installed capacity, a reminder of how fast clean power can scale. Waste and reuse research: A Tanzanian academic studies how discarded electronics and informal repair networks keep cities running—linking e-waste to broader “systems” of adaptation. Biodiversity and reefs: A study flags marine heatwaves slowing coral reef recovery, underscoring how warming stress compounds ecosystem loss.

Education Under Strain: With buses halted by Cuba’s fuel crisis, 1.4 million students start the 2026–2027 school year amid shortages, while authorities say the right to education will be protected through flexible, local solutions. Power System Crackdown: Cuba’s energy stress is echoed by a hardening of legal enforcement around the National Electric System, as the island grapples with blackouts and failing infrastructure. Nuclear Disarmament Push: Cuba’s UN envoy calls for strengthening the international order on nuclear disarmament, highlighting the TPNW and the need for a world without nuclear tests. Food Security Pressure: A BBC analysis points to Cuba’s heavy food import dependence and sharp declines in key staples, raising questions about the agricultural model and sanctions’ impact. Tropical Storm Dolly Watch: In the wider region, Dolly’s remnants are still boosting rain chances near Cuba and South Florida, a reminder of how weather shocks can compound shortages. Renewables Loss: Cubasolar founder Luis Bérriz Pérez has died, marking a blow to Cuba’s solar push.

Cuba Food Security Under Strain: A BBC analysis says Cuba imports about 80% of its food, spending roughly $2.4 billion a year, while key staples like pork, rice, beans and milk have collapsed in recent years—raising alarms about diet quality and market shortages. Water Stress and Drought Impacts: Reports highlight the Cauto River hitting historic lows, leaving communities with salty, muddy water as drought tightens pressure on local livelihoods. Energy and Infrastructure Sabotage Crackdown: Cuban authorities warn that attacks on the National Electric System and related critical infrastructure are treated as sabotage, with severe penalties—framing the fight as essential to protect water, communications and transport. Local Food System Support: The WFP expands its “Act Differently!” project in Rafael Freyre, linking agricultural cooperatives with social protection institutions to strengthen resilience amid economic hardship and climate pressures. Tropical Weather Watch: Forecasters keep an eye on Tropical Storm Dolly’s remnants and possible redevelopment, with potential impacts for the Gulf and areas near Cuba. Cuba’s Tourism and Malecón Deterioration: Official figures claim tourism has hit a low point with many hotels closed, while Havana’s Malecón continues to deteriorate, adding to environmental and coastal concerns.

Cuba’s Population Crunch: Cuba’s National Office of Statistics (ONEI) reports the island fell to 9.43 million people at end-2025, down by 313,414 in a year, with an aging rate of 26.7%—a demographic warning that echoes into the future. Energy & Water Security: Cuba’s attorney general warns of harsh penalties for sabotage targeting the National Electric System, as blackouts keep leaving Havana thirsty and critical infrastructure under strain. Tourism Under Pressure: Cuba says 73% of hotel facilities are closed and major chains have stopped operations, while investors face mounting costs amid an unreliable power grid. Coastal Erosion in Havana: Filmmaker Jorge Dalton calls the Malecón “another portrait of horror,” pointing to salt damage, cracked structures, and dislodged stone from years of neglect. Food Systems & Climate Resilience: WFP expands its “Act Differently!” local food project in Rafael Freyre to strengthen eastern Cuba’s nutrition and agricultural resilience amid climate change. Tropical Storm Dolly Watch: Forecasters track Dolly’s remnants and possible redevelopment, while South Florida faces a flood-prone, humid pattern tied to the system’s moisture. Coral Reef Recovery Set Back: A new analysis finds climate-driven marine heatwaves are slowing coral recovery, with global hard-coral cover down about 9.5% from heat stress.

Marine Heatwaves & Coral Reefs: A new global analysis warns climate-driven heat stress is slowing coral recovery, with hard coral cover down about 9.5% and bleaching events happening more often, leaving reefs less time to bounce back. Water Crisis in Cuba: Drought is cutting the Cauto River to historic lows, forcing families in Granma to rely on saline, muddy water pulled from the riverbed. Havana Thirst From Blackouts: Prolonged electricity failures are again disrupting water pumping across Havana, leaving residents without reliable service as motors and pipes struggle. Cuba’s Tourism Collapse: Cuba’s hotel sector is in free fall, with 73% of facilities closed and major chains halting operations, leaving tens of thousands of workers idle. Energy Infrastructure Risk: A pipeline break tied to the Varadero–Matanzas crude line triggered an oil spill and threatens supply to the Guiteras thermoelectric plant, highlighting fragile aging infrastructure. Renewables Push: IRENA is inviting renewable project proposals across Central America and the Caribbean, including Cuba, to speed up financing for solar, wind, clean transport, and green industry. Weather Watch: Florida is under flood warnings as humid conditions linked to Dolly’s remnants bring daily rain and storm risk. Biodiversity Spotlight: A Cuban photographer won top honors for an image of the tocororo, adding fresh visibility to Cuba’s wildlife and protected landscapes.

Cuba Tourism Crisis: Cuba’s hotel sector is in free fall, with Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz citing that 73% of hotel facilities are closed and seven foreign chains have stopped operating, leaving about 25,000 hotel workers on standby. Energy-Water Emergency: Havana’s blackouts are now hitting daily life directly—when pumps lose power, water distribution fails, leaving nearly two million residents facing an emergency. Infrastructure Under Strain: A sealed break on the Varadero–Matanzas crude pipeline exposed how fragile aging systems are, with repairs affecting supply to the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant. Coastal Erosion in Havana: Filmmaker Jorge Dalton calls the Malecón “another portrait of horror,” pointing to salt-driven erosion, cracked structures, and dislodged stone blocks. Drought Stress on Water: The Cauto River is at historic lows; families in Cauto Cristo report saline, muddy water drawn from the riverbed. Policy for Trade: Cuba’s Official Gazette updates the legal framework for domestic trade, including rules for a Central Commercial Registry and new transparency-focused regulations. Renewables Push: IRENA is inviting renewable project proposals across Central America and the Caribbean, including Cuba, to speed financing and de-risk clean energy. Weather Watch: Meteorologists are tracking two tropical disturbances—Invest 97L in the Gulf and the remnants of Tropical Storm Dolly in the Caribbean—for possible development and heavy rain impacts.

Cuba’s Economic Opening: Cuba is moving to loosen controls on its communist economy, letting private firms trade directly with foreign businesses, hire more freely, and expand real estate development—measures expected to start this week as reforms become law amid U.S. pressure. Water Crisis: Drought has pushed the Cauto River to historic lows, leaving families in Cauto Cristo drinking saline, muddy water pulled from the riverbed. Energy Strain in Havana: Prolonged blackouts are again leaving Havana thirsty as pumps fail and the water system struggles to recover. Oil Spill Risk Exposed: A break in the Varadero–Matanzas pipeline was sealed after an oil spill near Matanzas; officials say older Soviet-era construction standards are incompatible with today’s safety norms. Renewables Push: IRENA is inviting renewable project proposals across Central America and the Caribbean, including Cuba, to speed financing and de-risk clean energy. Nature Spotlight: A Cuban photographer won top honors in an online nature contest for a high-speed image of the tocororo bird in flight. Storm Watch: Meteorologists warn Tropical Storm Dolly’s remnants could reform near Cuba and the Bahamas in the coming week, keeping coastal communities on alert.

Water Stress in the East: Drought has pushed the Cauto River to historic lows, leaving families in Cauto Cristo (Granma) relying on saline, mud-laden water drawn from the riverbed—an abrupt contrast to last year’s Hurricane Melissa overflow. Energy-Water Link in Havana: Prolonged blackouts are again silencing pumps, leaving nearly two million residents facing an emergency water shortage as aging pipes and underpowered pumping systems collide. Oil Spill Risk at Guiteras: A break on the Varadero–Matanzas pipeline (built under older Soviet-era rules) was sealed after 45 cubic meters of oil were contained; repairs took 23 hours and raised concerns about fragile infrastructure. Domestic Trade Rules: Cuba updated its legal framework for domestic commerce via Decrees 167 and 168, aiming to simplify activity for non-state actors while stressing transparency and consumer protection. School Year Start: Cuba’s 2026-27 school cycle begins Sept. 1 for 1.4M students, with flexible attendance and adjusted requirements amid teacher shortages and the energy crisis. Renewables Push: IRENA invited renewable project proposals across Central America and the Caribbean, including Cuba, to speed financing for solar, wind, hydropower, and green mobility. Tropical Storm Dolly Watch: Cuban meteorology warns Dolly’s remnants could reform near northern Cuba/Bahamas and affect the region with rain risk.

Tropical Storm Dolly Watch (Cuba/Caribbean): Cuban meteorologist José Rubiera says the remnants of Dolly—now an open tropical wave—could reform by early next week, even as INSMET ruled out redeveloping in the short term; the system’s dry air and hostile conditions helped it weaken fast, but medium-term vigilance is urged. Storm Impacts (Camagüey): A severe local storm hit Florida municipality in Camagüey, damaging five homes, knocking down over a thousand trees (including fruit and forest species), and disrupting power after trees fell on lines; authorities are assessing and restoring service. Weather Snapshot (Pinar del Río): A Pinar photographer captured a dramatic lightning scene during a thunderstorm—cumulonimbus clouds, violet light, and a vertical lightning column—showing how intense weather can erupt over everyday neighborhoods. Energy & Climate Resilience (Solar): Cuba lost solar pioneer Luis Bérriz Pérez, founder of Cubasolar and a key figure behind early solar research centers, who spent decades pushing renewable energy during the country’s ongoing power crisis. Food Security (UN): Cuba told the UN Security Council that hunger is being used as a weapon and that the U.S. blockade worsens food access, warning the world is far from “Zero Hunger” goals. School Year (Social resilience): Cuba’s Education Ministry says 1.5 million children and adolescents will start classes Sept. 1, with facilities prepared despite constraints and plans for flexibility like double sessions and support programs.

Cuba Food Security at UN: Cuba told the UN Security Council that hunger is being used as a weapon of war and warned the U.S. blockade is tightening the squeeze on food, fuel, and essentials, as global malnutrition and military spending rise. Climate & Storm Watch: Tropical Storm Dolly formed in the Atlantic and could bring heavy rain to the northeastern Caribbean and possibly reach Cuba and the Bahamas, with forecasts still shifting. Extreme Weather in Cuba: A severe storm hit Florida, Camagüey, damaging homes, knocking down over a thousand trees, and disrupting power after winds touched down near the Muñoz reservoir area. Energy Transition Loss & Hope: Solar pioneer Luis Bérriz Pérez, founder of Cubasolar, died; his work helped Cuba push renewable energy during the fuel blockade. Brain Drain in Science: A Cuban researcher said most colleagues trained in Cuba no longer work in the country, citing low research salaries and better economic prospects abroad. Education Resilience: Cuba plans for 1.5 million students to start the school year on Sept. 1, with “flexibility” and support despite ongoing constraints.

Cuba’s Solar Legacy: Cuban engineer Luis Bérriz Pérez, founder of Cubasolar and a long-time advocate for renewable energy, has died, leaving behind decades of work including the Solar Energy Research Center in Santiago de Cuba. Climate & Disaster Watch: Tropical Storm Dolly formed in the Atlantic and may bring heavy rain to the Caribbean, with Cuba among the areas forecast to feel impacts as uncertainty remains high. Extreme Weather in Cuba: A severe local storm hit Florida, Camagüey, damaging homes, knocking down over a thousand trees, and disrupting power after wind and possible tornado-like conditions near the Muñoz reservoir. Water & Drought Context: El Niño-linked drought is driving emergency water alerts in Honduras, tightening reservoir supplies and rationing—an environmental pressure that echoes wider regional risks including Cuba. Education & Resilience: Cuba’s school year is set to start September 1 for about 1.5 million children and adolescents, with officials stressing preparation efforts despite teacher shortages and difficult conditions. Sanctions & Environment: Antilles Gold’s Cuban copper-gold project faces a regulatory test after U.S. sanctions halted work, pushing the company to seek a U.S.-based investor—raising questions for mining activity and local environmental safeguards.

Severe Weather in Camagüey: A local storm hit Florida municipality in Camagüey on Wednesday evening, damaging five homes, knocking out power, and bringing down over a thousand trees; photos and videos show uprooted vegetation and debris, with officials assessing whether a funnel-like column was a tornado. School Year Restart: Cuba’s Education Minister says about 1.5 million children and adolescents will start classes on September 1, with teachers preparing facilities despite shortages and plans for double sessions and added cultural, sports, and tech activities. Atlantic Storm Watch: Tropical Storm Dolly has formed in the Atlantic and early forecasts suggest possible impacts across the Caribbean and even Cuba and Florida, though it may weaken in strong wind shear. Wildlife Conservation: Satellite tracking of Caribbean flamingos in the Yucatán has mapped routes up to 5,500 km, linking Mexican wetlands to Cuban coasts and highlighting wetland degradation. Garbage Collection Plan Fails in Havana: The El Rampeño electric-tricycle garbage project in El Vedado is reported as stalled due to missing vehicles and an unbuilt charging station. Astronomy for Cuba: A partial lunar eclipse will be visible across Cuba from Thursday night into Friday morning, with peak around 12:12 a.m.

Water Diplomacy & Climate Resilience: A Global Ambassadors’ Forum on water and economic diplomacy at World Water Week in Stockholm drew nearly 30 countries, with organizers warning of a major water investment shortfall and pushing cross-border cooperation. Cuban Energy & Waste Management: Havana’s El Vedado “garbage with tricycles” plan is being called a failure after promised electric tricycles and charging infrastructure didn’t arrive, leaving the neighborhood with “mostly clean” results but not the system it was promised. Wildlife Tracking Across Borders: Satellite monitoring of Caribbean flamingos in Mexico’s Yucatán has mapped long routes—up to 5,500 km—linking Mexican wetlands with Cuban coasts, while highlighting wetland degradation and the need for conservation through 2030. Hurricane Watch for the Caribbean: Cuban meteorologist Elier Pila Fariñas says the Atlantic hurricane season is unusually quiet so far, but a new low-pressure area is being monitored for possible development. Sanctions Pressure on Cuban Mining: Antilles Gold’s Nueva Sabana copper-gold project faces a regulatory test after U.S. sanctions halted work, forcing the company to seek a U.S.-based investor to unlock progress. Drought Stress in the Region: Honduras expanded El Niño drought red alerts to 103 municipalities, tightening water rationing and threatening food production—an environmental stress signal for the wider Dry Corridor.