Mike Hammer, the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Cuba, recently made a stop in the village of Hershey, located in the province of Mayabeque, as part of his tour across the country. In a video shared by the U.S. Embassy on Facebook, Hammer emphasized the historical significance of the area and the longstanding relationship between the two nations.
"As I continue my journey through Cuba, I visited Hershey in Mayabeque, a place with historical ties to the United States. This year, we celebrate America's 250th anniversary, and through our #Freedom250 campaign, we aim to highlight the close connections between our people," Hammer stated in the post.
During his visit, Hammer engaged in conversations with local residents who shared stories about the area's history and Milton Hershey, the American entrepreneur who established the sugar mill and village in the early 20th century.
The site remains a symbol of a prosperous and modern era in Cuba, preserving remnants of the old sugar mill, electric railway, and workers' housing designed in the industrial style of that time. A report by CiberCuba had previously described how this "sleeping and forgotten town" was once a model village with a public school, clinic, cinema, social club, and power plant, before falling into neglect following the sugar mill's expropriation and the collapse of the local economy.
Hammer's visit to Hershey occurred shortly after state security warned that further meetings between the diplomat and members of Cuban civil society would not be tolerated, as reported by the Center for Coexistence Studies (CEC). Authorities informed its director, Dagoberto Valdés Hernández, that they would not allow the American ambassador to contact individuals for his purposes amid the current situation in Cuba.
Agents labeled the recent meeting between Valdés and Hammer as "collaboration with a foreign power threatening to invade the island," despite CEC's assertion that the meeting had a humanitarian focus and concentrated on distributing aid donated by the United States through the Catholic Church.
The warning sparked a wave of reactions on social media both in and out of Cuba. Users criticized the regime's stance as fear-driven and praised Hammer as a respected and approachable figure. "If they target Hammer, they target the Cuban people," summarized one of the most shared comments.
Hammer's journey to Hershey is part of the #Freedom250 campaign, through which the U.S. Embassy in Havana commemorates the 250th anniversary of American independence and fosters historical, cultural, and human connections between the two countries.
Mike Hammer's Visit and Its Impact on U.S.-Cuba Relations
What is the significance of Mike Hammer's visit to Hershey in Mayabeque?
Mike Hammer's visit to Hershey highlights the historical connections between the United States and Cuba, underscoring a shared past and the potential for future collaboration. It is part of the U.S. Embassy's #Freedom250 campaign celebrating America's 250th anniversary.
Why did Cuban authorities react negatively to Hammer's interactions with civil society?
Cuban authorities viewed Hammer's meetings with civil society as a potential threat, interpreting them as collaboration with a foreign power. The regime's response is seen as an attempt to control external influences and maintain governmental authority.