Cuban journalist Mario J. Pentón has fiercely countered recent statements made by Johana Tablada de la Torre, the Deputy Director General for the United States at Cuba's Foreign Ministry. Tablada falsely accused him of attending a press conference in Miami held by U.S. Ambassador to Havana, Mike Hammer. Pentón, who was in Spain at the time, denounced Tablada's claim as a "blatant lie" and released a video refuting each accusation made on the pro-regime program Con Filo, which frequently targets critics of the Cuban government.
“The fact is, I was thousands of miles away from Miami,” Pentón stated, clarifying that he was on vacation in Madrid and was actually at Barajas Airport, where he encountered former Cuban spy Fernando González Llort, president of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP). He also dismissed allegations of being on the U.S. State Department payroll, asserting, “I work for the United States Agency for Global Media, which operates with editorial independence.” Pentón criticized regime spokespersons like Tablada and Michel Torres Corona, host of Con Filo, for parroting narratives dictated by the Ministry of the Interior (MININT).
Moreover, Pentón publicly challenged the diplomat to engage with independent and diaspora media outlets such as Univisión, Telemundo, or El Nuevo Herald, noting that she "spends more time in the United States than in Cuba."
Growing Concerns Over Mike Hammer's Open Diplomacy
The conflict between Pentón and Tablada unfolds amid the Cuban regime's growing unease with Hammer's diplomatic approach, which is causing ripples in Havana. Since Hammer's arrival on the island in November 2024, he has actively engaged with dissidents, independent journalists, religious leaders, and the families of political prisoners, stirring visible unrest within the government.
The Cuban regime has ramped up its rhetoric against Hammer, accusing him of fostering "destabilization" by supporting civil society members. On a recent episode of Con Filo, the host devoted an extensive segment to undermining Hammer's efforts, branding them as cynical and labeling him an emissary of Washington's "strangulation policy."
In an article on the state-run website Cubadebate, Tablada infantilized Hammer by accusing him of dishonesty regarding the failure of the "revolution." Despite these criticisms, Hammer has continued to publicly share his engagements on the island, including visits to political prisoners, religious sites, and civic spaces, actions perceived by the Cuban government as direct provocations.
This diplomatic standoff occurs amid already strained U.S.-Cuba relations, exacerbated by Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism and a critical U.S. foreign policy stance on the regime’s human rights record, spearheaded by Cuban-American Marco Rubio, a true nemesis for Havana's authoritarian corridors of power.
Key Questions About the Diplomatic Tensions in Cuba
Why did Mario Pentón refute Johana Tablada's claims?
Mario Pentón refuted Johana Tablada's claims as he was falsely accused of attending a Miami press conference while he was actually in Spain. He denounced these as blatant lies and offered evidence to support his whereabouts.
What actions by Mike Hammer have concerned the Cuban regime?
Mike Hammer's active engagement with opposition figures, independent journalists, and civil society members in Cuba has caused concern for the regime, which sees these actions as efforts to destabilize the country.
What is the response of the Cuban regime to Hammer's activities?
The Cuban regime has intensified its verbal attacks on Mike Hammer, accusing him of promoting destabilization and criticizing his support for Cuban civil society, viewing his actions as provocations.