Alexander Otaola has fiercely criticized an alleged barrier set by U.S. Embassy officials in Havana when he sought to speak with the Chargé d'Affaires, Mike Hammer. He harshly described the U.S. visa sanctions policy against Cuban regime officials as "a mess." During his program, Hola Ota-Ola, Otaola explained that when he attempted to arrange an interview with Hammer, an American official informed him that he would first have to speak with her, off-camera.
"If Hammer is willing to walk through a decaying dictatorship and chat with any Cuban who approaches him, even engaging with a notorious communist on the ferry to Regla, why should I have to go through a filter to talk to him?" the host questioned.
He hinted at possessing sensitive information regarding the American diplomat's activities that he cannot yet disclose. "There are things I can't explain right now. I will reveal them in due time," he warned.
Otaola also lambasted what he sees as an incoherent visa restriction policy by the Havana embassy. "They've revoked visas for many Cuban officials, yet Johana Tablada came to the United States and met with young Americans—something Hammer can't do in Cuba," he argued. "This shows that the U.S. embassy's visa sanctions are a mess," he concluded.
The Regla Ferry Incident and Hammer's Agenda
The incident Otaola refers to occurred during a ride on the Regla ferry, where the diplomat was allegedly confronted by plainclothes agents in what many interpret as an attempted "act of repudiation."
Hammer addressed the incident diplomatically in a video shared by the U.S. Embassy on social media, stating his intention is to travel across Cuba and listen to "various opinions from the Cuban people." The ambassador recounted that he was on his way to attend mass at the Church of Our Lady of Regla that day and took the opportunity to engage with locals. Despite the provocation, he affirmed his commitment to maintaining direct contact with civil society.
Meanwhile, Johana Tablada, the deputy director-general for U.S. affairs at Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and one of Hammer's staunchest critics on the island, traveled to Washington last weekend to meet with various social sectors and do exactly what the regime criticizes the American diplomat for doing.
The actions of both officials have further escalated diplomatic tensions between Cuba and the United States.
Understanding the Diplomatic Tensions Between Cuba and the U.S.
Why did Alexander Otaola criticize the U.S. Embassy in Havana?
Alexander Otaola criticized the U.S. Embassy in Havana for allegedly implementing a barrier that prevents direct communication with Mike Hammer, and he also attacked what he believes to be an inconsistent visa sanctions policy.
What was the Regla ferry incident involving Mike Hammer?
The Regla ferry incident involved Mike Hammer being confronted by plainclothes agents, interpreted as an attempted "act of repudiation," while he was on his way to attend mass and engaged with locals.
How did Johana Tablada's actions contribute to diplomatic tensions?
Johana Tablada's trip to Washington to meet with various social sectors mirrored the actions she criticizes in Mike Hammer, thereby increasing diplomatic tensions between Cuba and the U.S.