The Cuban regime has escalated its verbal assaults on Mike Hammer, the head of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Havana, accusing him of fostering "destabilization" within the nation by supporting civil society members, activists, independent journalists, and families of political prisoners. Through regime-affiliated channels and social media posts, Hammer is labeled as an "imperial emissary," accused of breaching diplomatic protocols and allegedly spearheading a "hybrid warfare" strategy against Cuba. He is linked to meetings with figures such as José Daniel Ferrer and Berta Soler, among others.
Propaganda Tactics: From Allegations to Mobilization
The regime's narrative, previously covered by the state-run Cubadebate, outlines a supposed multi-phase strategy led by Hammer: media victimization of dissenters, external economic pressure, and the promotion of cyber campaigns from the Cuban exile community. Additionally, hashtags like #FueraHammer and #CubaNoSeVende are being reused to mobilize officialist responses on social media.
Simultaneously, the dictatorship advances the notion that the United States is using Cuba as a tool to "discredit socialist models in Latin America" while paving the way for economic interests in strategic sectors such as biotechnology or tourism.
Diplomatic Activism and Government Reaction
Since his arrival in Havana in November 2024, Mike Hammer has pursued an active agenda of meetings with civil society actors, causing notable irritation within the state apparatus. In recent months, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned U.S. diplomats on three occasions to express "strong protest" over what they regard as acts of "interference."
Furthermore, the Cuban government has employed fiery rhetoric and unverified claims to reinforce the narrative that the U.S. is financially backing opposition groups for destabilizing purposes, citing organizations like the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and USAID as sources of foreign funding for figures such as Soler and Ferrer, the latter of whom is facing unjust imprisonment once again.
Strained Cuba-U.S. Relations: A Contextual Overview
The diplomatic confrontation unfolds amidst already strained relations between the two nations, characterized by Cuba's inclusion on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, the ongoing embargo, and an increasingly critical U.S. stance on the regime's human rights record. Meanwhile, Hammer continues to publicly share his agenda on the island, including visits to political prisoners, religious sites, and civic spaces, which the Cuban government interprets as a direct provocation.
State Security Cracks Down on Opposition Ahead of Diplomatic Meetings
The non-governmental organization Cubalex has reported a new wave of selective repression in Cuba, aimed at preventing activists and opponents from meeting with the U.S. diplomatic mission chief. According to various posts on the social media platform X, arbitrary detentions, summonses, house arrest, and enforced isolation were documented against at least six members of the independent civil society between April 29 and May 19.
Since arriving on the island in November 2024, diplomat Mike Hammer has maintained a busy schedule of encounters with dissenters, journalists, religious figures, and families of political prisoners, all of which he has documented on his social media accounts.
Cuban-U.S. Diplomatic Tensions: Key Questions and Answers
What are the main accusations against Mike Hammer by the Cuban regime?
The Cuban regime accuses Mike Hammer of promoting the destabilization of Cuba by supporting civil society figures, activists, independent journalists, and families of political prisoners. He is also accused of breaching diplomatic protocols and leading a "hybrid warfare" strategy.
How has the U.S. responded to the Cuban regime's accusations?
The U.S. has not publicly issued a specific response to the Cuban regime's accusations, but Mike Hammer continues his diplomatic agenda, meeting with civil society members and documenting these activities on social media.
What impact has Mike Hammer's diplomatic activities had in Cuba?
Hammer's activities have caused visible discomfort within the Cuban government, leading to diplomatic protests and heightened rhetoric. His engagements with civil society and political prisoners are seen as provocative by the regime.