AGP Executive Report

Cuba’s energy transition in Holguín: The Cuba–Canada “Former Project” says it has installed 344 photovoltaic systems (out of 502 planned) across 10 municipalities, moving areas that relied on generator power toward stable 24-hour electricity, plus solar water heaters for hospitals and care centers and training spaces at schools. Sanctions hit Cuba’s mining and industry: New U.S. measures target Cuban financial and industrial entities tied to GAESA, and analysts warn they could chill foreign investment and deepen the crisis. Battery supply chain disruption: Sherritt shut Canada’s only cobalt refinery in Alberta after U.S. sanctions cut off feedstock from Cuba’s Moa operations, underlining how Cuba’s metals sector is now tightly linked to EV supply security. Reform debate and price controls: Cuba’s sweeping economic reforms are framed as urgent “make-or-break” changes under scarcity and blockade pressure, while critics point to the regime’s own admission that price caps worsened shortages and pushed activity into illegal markets. Academic cooperation: Cuba’s universities sign an MoU with Cambodia’s Royal Academy to expand research, Spanish training, and joint projects.

Renewables in Cuba: Holguín is getting a major boost: with Canadian support, the “Former Project” has installed 344 photovoltaic systems across 10 municipalities, moving sites from generator-only electricity (about four hours) to stable 24-hour power, plus solar water heaters for hospitals, daycares, polyclinics, maternity and elder care, and training classrooms at local education centers. Energy & health strain: A Cuban resident’s hospital test story sums up a wider crisis: water outages and blackouts are disrupting labs and imaging, with hospitals running under “wartime” conditions and equipment sidelined by power cuts. Economic reform debate: Cuba’s parliament approved a sweeping package of 176 structural changes, including cutting ministries and reshaping the state administration, framed as emergency action under U.S. pressure. Sanctions pressure: The U.S. announced fresh sanctions on five Cuban entities, including GAESA-linked firms, warning it could chill foreign investment and deepen the economic squeeze. Policy reality check: A commentary argues Cuba’s own experience shows price caps fail—driving shortages, informal markets, and lower tax revenue.

Renewables in Cuba: Canada’s Former Project says it installed 344 photovoltaic systems in Holguín, bringing some areas to 24-hour power and adding solar water heaters for hospitals and social care sites. Energy strain hits health: A Cuban man reports hospital tests stalled by a brutal cycle of no water/no electricity, while Santiago de Cuba faces long water outages tied to power and technical failures. Green jobs push: Cuba’s labor ministry validates a national method to certify “green jobs,” starting from a sugar-company pilot that mapped roles tied to waste, energy efficiency, and the circular economy. Money in circulation problem: After the 5,000 CUP banknote launch, many Cubans still “only see them in photos,” with limited distribution and fears of theft or forgery. Economic reform messaging: A lawmaker says Cuba can’t “distribute poverty” and must share “wealth,” framing the 176-measure reform package as a needed shift for entrepreneurs and migrants. Tech and business links: Nucl3um announces a permanent commercial/tech exhibition in Holguín to connect MSMEs, startups, and investors with national opportunities. Regional dialogue: The University of the West Indies will host a forum on Cuba’s current crisis, focusing on issues, impact, and imperatives.

Cuban Economic Reform Narrative: A lawmaker says Cuba can’t “distribute poverty” and must instead share “wealth,” framing the regime’s 176 transformation measures as necessary long-term change rather than emergency-only fixes. Cash Scarcity Reality Check: Despite the Central Bank’s 5,000 CUP note launch, many Cubans still only see the highest denomination in photos, with limited circulation and fear of theft or forgery shaping how people treat the bills. Energy Strain and Accountability: A Havana blackout story highlights how state systems can fail to log complaints, leaving residents with “ghost reports” while private solar help becomes the practical workaround. Green Jobs Push: Cuba’s labor ministry validates a method to certify “green jobs,” starting with a sugar company pilot and linking roles to both labor standards and environmental goals. Healthcare Reconstruction Debate: Exiled-linked “911 Cuba” backers argue that private partners would gain operating rights and broader economic access if Cuba’s health system is rebuilt after political change. Regional Tech/Science Outreach: Holguín’s Nucl3um park announces a permanent commercial and tech exhibition to connect Cuban innovators with buyers, investors, and universities. Coral Resilience Research: New mapping work suggests some coral reefs may better withstand warming, pointing to more targeted conservation priorities. World Cup Costs (Not Cuba, but Tech/Policy Angle): Fans report sticker shock from stadium concessions, especially beer prices, fueling debate over affordability and pricing power. Passing of a Revolutionary Figure: Cuba confirms the death of intelligence founder and revolutionary commander Ramiro Valdés at 94.

Cuban Economy Overhaul: Cuba’s National Assembly approved sweeping reforms to open the economy, including a shift from state enterprises toward a corporate model and new room for private and foreign capital, with banking and other sectors among those targeted. U.S.-Cuba Tensions: Havana renewed attacks on U.S. officials over the fuel blockade, with Cuba’s foreign minister accusing Marco Rubio of “chronic lying” while arguing sanctions are worsening shortages and child mortality. Security Apparatus Loss: Cuba marked the death of Ramiro Valdés, a top Castro-era figure long tied to the regime’s internal repression and security structures. Energy & Water Strain in Santiago de Cuba: Electrical failures are driving extreme water disruptions, with some neighborhoods reporting 39–48 days without service as pumping stations struggle under limited electricity and transformer oil theft. Coral Resilience Research: New studies highlight coral reefs that may survive warming better than expected, including areas linked to Cuba, pointing to more targeted conservation. Marine Science Push: REV Ocean’s planned research cruise program will run multiple missions across the Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific, aiming to generate data to speed marine conservation.

Cuba’s Economic Overhaul: Cuba’s National Assembly approved 176 sweeping reforms, including opening the financial system to private banking, allowing foreign-currency accounts, and expanding private enterprise and real estate—moves framed as necessary under U.S. pressure. Energy & Water Crisis: Santiago de Cuba is facing water cycles up to 40 days as electricity shortages disrupt pumping stations, with added strain from transformer oil theft. Fuel Blockade Clash: Cuban FM Bruno Rodríguez accused U.S. Sec. of State Marco Rubio of lying about a “total fuel blockade,” saying Washington blocks parts and technology needed for thermoelectric plants. Railway Reality Check: A Cuban railway terminal in San José de las Lajas shows how state routes have effectively disappeared, leaving travelers to improvise. Tech & Trade Showcase: Holguín’s Nucl3um is setting up a permanent trade-and-technology showcase to connect tech firms and startups with clients and partners. Public Protests: In Havana’s Regla and Playa’s “La Genética,” residents staged pot-banging and other protests tied to prolonged blackouts and service outages. Science & History: A new exhibit, “Taino Vive,” is closing at Yale’s Peabody Museum before moving to Waterbury, highlighting Caribbean indigenous culture.

Cuba-US Energy Row: Cuban FM Bruno Rodríguez hit back at Marco Rubio, saying the U.S. is lying about a “total fuel blockade” and that Washington’s “economic suffocation” plan blocks oil, parts, and technology needed for Cuba’s thermoelectric plants. Sweeping Economic Overhaul: Cuba approved 176 reform measures and 23 policy axes to decentralize the planned economy—expanding private business, imports/exports without state intermediation, private hiring, and private banking, plus foreign-currency account changes and more room for investment by Cubans abroad. Power-Blackout Protests: In Havana’s Regla and Playa’s “La Genética,” residents staged pot-banging demonstrations against outages lasting 30–40+ hours, with reports of parallel internet and mobile data disruptions. Science & Industry Link-Up: Holguín’s Nucl3um invited tech firms, MSMEs, startups, and innovators to a trade-and-technology showcase with a physical and digital showroom starting next month. Climate Tech for Cuba: A new climate roundup highlights research mapping coral reefs that may better survive warming, with Cuba named among key reef countries.

Cuba’s sweeping economic overhaul: Cuba approved 176 reform measures to decentralize the planned economy, expand private activity, speed up imports/exports, allow private hiring, and open the door to private banking and foreign investment in sectors like energy and telecom—moves framed as urgent under U.S. pressure. Finance & energy liberalization: Prime Minister Marrero says private and foreign capital can buy and sell fuel, create private corporate banking, and invest in digital infrastructure, while state enterprises shift toward more corporate models. Fuel blockade dispute: Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez hit back at U.S. claims, calling the “total fuel blockade” a deliberate economic suffocation plan that blocks parts and technology for thermoelectric plants and restricts oil sales. Power outage protests in Havana: In Regla and Playa’s “La Genética,” residents staged pot-banging demonstrations amid long blackouts and reported internet/mobile disruptions. Science & tech showcase: Nucl3um’s Holguín Science, Technology and Industrial Park invited companies and startups to a trade-and-technology showcase with physical and digital exhibition space. Climate science with Cuba in the mix: A new coral study finds far more climate-resilient reefs than expected, with Cuba among the countries hosting major resilient reef areas. Biotech history note: A story revisits Fidel Castro’s attempt to recruit the Dolly-the-Sheep scientist to clone his favorite cow, using frozen cells.

Cuba’s Free-Market Pivot: Cuba approved 176 sweeping reforms, calling them the biggest overhaul since 1959. The plan pushes decentralization, expands private business space, allows imports/exports without state intermediation, enables private hiring, authorizes private banks, and even permits fast-food chains—while shifting state enterprises toward a more corporate model. Economic Reform Details: Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz told lawmakers the package opens key sectors to private and foreign capital, including fuel trading, private corporate banking, more autonomy for state firms, and foreign investment in areas like Old Havana and telecom infrastructure. Implementation Worries: Economist Ileana Díaz Fernández and others question the “fast track” approval process after only days of review, warning that years were lost and the design may be rushed. Agriculture Shake-Up: A deep food crisis is driving changes to land rules: broader usufruct rights, more producer freedom, and updated regulations for cooperatives and producers. Price Caps Backtrack: Cuba signaled it will eliminate its price cap policy, saying it failed to curb inflation and fueled shortages and black markets. Tech & Security Angle: Satellite imagery suggests Cuba expanded a signals intelligence listening site near Bejucal, with analysts linking it to China—raising new friction with the U.S. Cyber Threats: Separately, Cloudflare reported cyberattacks on civil society groups at over seven times the rate of other websites, underscoring the digital pressure climate around major political moments.

Cuba’s sweeping reforms: Cuba’s Communist Party has approved 176 economic and social transformations, billed as the biggest overhaul since 1959, including decentralizing the economy, expanding private business, authorizing private banking, and opening banking and energy to foreign and private capital. State-to-corporate shift: The plan also pushes state enterprises toward a corporate model, with more autonomy and new rules for how pricing and management work. Agriculture gets more freedom: A major agricultural package expands usufruct rights, loosens land-use rules, and gives cooperatives and producers more commercial room. Fuel sector opens up: Cuba is moving to let private and foreign capital participate in importing and marketing fuels, including retail. Policy speed and backlash: Cuban economists warn the reforms were rushed through in days and that years of earlier proposals were blocked, even as the government frames changes as “necessary and not deferrable.” Tech & security angle: Satellite imagery and analysts point to expanded work at Cuba’s Bejucal listening site, with suspected China links. Humanitarian pressure: Cuba’s leadership ties the overhaul to intensified U.S. sanctions and an emergency economic agenda, while also signaling readiness for “respectful dialogue” with Washington.

Cuba’s economic pivot: Cuba’s National Assembly has approved sweeping reforms (176 measures) to restructure the economy under U.S. sanctions pressure, including eliminating price caps and the ration book, easing foreign trade rules, and expanding private enterprise, with VAT and electronic invoicing also moving forward. Diaspora dealmaking: President Díaz-Canel says Havana is ready for respectful dialogue with Washington while inviting Cuban-Americans to invest, donate, import technology, and help rebuild nationalised properties under “arrangements satisfactory for all parties.” Energy survival tech: In Havana, businesses are installing rooftop solar with battery storage to cope with blackouts, showing how renewables are becoming a practical stopgap. Security tech spotlight: Satellite imagery suggests Cuba expanded a listening site near Bejucal, adding a larger antenna array and raising concerns about suspected China-linked intelligence activity. Public health watch: Scientists warn Oropouche (“sloth fever”) may have infected far more people across Latin America and the Caribbean than official counts show. Science & comms: Holguín’s Cuban Association of Social Communicators launches its 3rd annual Communication Conference, focusing on “Communication Now” for professionals and creators.

Cuba’s Big Economic Shift: Cuban lawmakers approved sweeping reforms that would privatize large parts of the socialist economy, including opening the door to private real estate development, turning state firms into commercial ventures with equity stakes, and allowing private banks into finance. Diaspora Tech & Capital Push: President Miguel Díaz-Canel urged Cubans abroad to invest, donate, import technology, and launch projects, promising a “clear, stable, respectful framework” for those who want to help build at home. Price Caps End, Foreign Investment Expanded: Díaz-Canel’s emergency agenda includes eliminating general price controls and expanding foreign direct investment in the private sector, framed as a response to sanctions and energy instability. Currency Pressure at Home: The Cuban peso kept sliding in the informal market, with the dollar rising to 685 CUP as the official rate lagged far behind, deepening skepticism about reform promises. Health Under Sanctions: Cuba told the UN that the U.S. blockade is worsening children’s health, citing a sharp rise in infant mortality and medicine shortages affecting pediatric cancer care. Ocean Science in the Region: REV Ocean launched its first operational research season with a ten-mission science program spanning the South Atlantic, Caribbean, Sargasso Sea, and Eastern Tropical Pacific to support marine protection and policy.

Humanitarian Fallout: The UN says U.S. sanctions are driving child deaths in Cuba, with infant mortality reportedly doubling and pediatric cancer survival falling as essential medicines and hospital fuel run short. Diplomatic Pushback: Cuba also told the UNICEF Executive Board that intensified restrictions are worsening healthcare, food security, and access to services, citing data from CEPR and Cuba’s own public health reporting. Tourism Shockwaves: Reports say major hotel chains are leaving Cuba amid tightening U.S. pressure, raising questions about what happens next for the island’s tourism recovery and investment pipeline. Coral Resilience Research: A new global study identifies reefs in places including Cuba that may withstand or recover from climate change, offering a science-backed target list for conservation. Local Identity & Science: Cuba’s anti-racism program, Color Cubano, is framed as both policy and identity work, citing genetics research to support an Afrodescendant national narrative. Marine Tech in the Caribbean: A Caribbean marine plastic tracking project using “smart bottles” is bringing digital innovation into classrooms in the Virgin Islands, showing how tech can support ocean stewardship.

Sanctions and health crisis: The UN’s human rights chief says U.S. sanctions are driving shortages that are harming children in Cuba, with infant mortality rising and cancer survival falling as doctors lack essential medicines. Cuban economic squeeze: Writer Sayli Alba highlights a salary trap for state workers—money stuck on cards, cash access blocked, and private businesses refusing transfers—while blackouts worsen daily life. Tourism tech and capital: Cuba is pitching foreign investors on idle hotels, empty cruise terminals, and underused airports, as major hotel chains exit and arrivals keep sliding. Energy and diplomacy: A senior Cuban diplomat tells Canada Havana is preparing for threats tied to U.S. coercive measures, while praising Canadian humanitarian aid. Marine tech education: The Caribbean’s HLSCC CAMS shares a marine plastic tracking project using “smart bottles” with GPS to bring ocean science and digital tools into classrooms. Coral resilience research: A new study using AI maps climate-resilient coral “refugia,” finding thousands of areas where reefs may survive warming—though protection is still limited. AI and media policy: The Caribbean Broadcasting Union plans an assembly on Caribbean media and AI, focusing on ethics, trust, and safety for small societies.

UN Human Rights Warning: The UN says U.S. sanctions are driving child deaths in Cuba, citing doubled infant mortality and worse childhood cancer survival as doctors lack essential medicines. Cuba’s Health Response: Cuba’s foreign minister links the crisis to the fuel embargo, saying it disrupts medicine transport and refrigeration, while BioCubaFarma reports major shortages of raw materials for hundreds of drugs. Tourism Tech & Capital: Cuba is courting foreign investors to revive a collapsing tourism sector, pitching idle hotels and empty cruise terminals and seeking capital for new developments. Coral Reef Science: New research highlights that about a third of the world’s coral reefs may be climate-resilient, using satellite imagery and AI—good news for conservation planning. Regional Media & AI: The Caribbean Broadcasting Union will focus on Caribbean media and artificial intelligence at its Guyana assembly, weighing ethics and trust in small markets. Polio Vaccination: Cuba launched the second phase of its bivalent oral polio campaign, stressing children’s right to health amid U.S. pressure.

Sanctions and health crisis: The UN human rights chief says the U.S. blockade is driving deaths in Cuba, with infant mortality reportedly doubling and childhood cancer survival falling as doctors face shortages of essential medicines. Vaccines and logistics: Cuba launched the second phase of its national bivalent oral polio campaign, while officials blame U.S. fuel embargoes for disrupting medicine transport and refrigeration. Biotech under pressure: BioCubaFarma says the blockade blocks raw-material access for most key drugs, pushing the system to prioritize emergency and critical-care production and rely more on export revenue. Coral resilience research: New global studies suggest about a third of the world’s coral reefs may be climate-resilient, with Cuba named among the key locations—though only a small share is actively protected. Regional health push: CARICOM and PAHO focused on ending mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B, stressing lab and surveillance upgrades. Tech and access: EnvíosCuba, a major online shopping platform for Cubans abroad, suspended operations, leaving users uncertain about continuity.