Mike Hammer, the chief U.S. envoy in Cuba, faced yet another orchestrated protest this weekend, with the Cuban government organizing it during his visit to Camagüey.
Images of the protest were shared by journalist Mario J. Pentón and activists Irma Lidia Broek and José Raúl Gallego, capturing the event from various perspectives. These were recorded by Camagüey locals who witnessed the incident.
The demonstration took place on the night of Saturday, January 31, at the Hotel Santa María, located in Plaza del Gallo, Camagüey, a site of historical significance linked to the City Historian's Office.
A crowd, mobilized by local authorities, awaited the diplomat following his transfer from Ciego de Ávila. They were surrounded by the pitch darkness of a blackout that enveloped the historic center.
The protesters hurled insults such as "Trump's puppet," "imperialist here to witness our blackouts," "murderer," "get out of Camagüey," and "down with the blockade."
The day before, a similar confrontation occurred in Trinidad, where a group accosted and berated Hammer as he exited the Church of San Francisco de Paula after meeting with priest and activist José Conrado Rodríguez.
"There were a few shouting insults, but I believe they belong to a certain party. I know they do not represent the Cuban people, the common Cubans," Hammer stated in a message shared on the U.S. Embassy's Facebook page in Havana on Saturday morning.
The diplomat emphasized his ongoing travels across the island to "meet more ordinary Cubans and discuss their aspirations and hopes for a better Cuba."
The verbal assaults on Hammer are part of a long-standing pattern of government-sanctioned protests aimed at harassing dissidents, journalists, and foreign diplomats.
This specific operation clearly carried a political and intimidating undertone against the U.S. delegation amid growing international scrutiny over Cuba’s human rights situation.
"The dictatorship is once again resorting to its intimidation tactics and organized violence. They are playing with fire," warned journalist Mario J. Pentón.
So far, neither Cuban authorities nor the U.S. Embassy have issued official statements regarding the events in Camagüey.
Understanding the Protests Against Mike Hammer in Cuba
What triggered the protests against Mike Hammer in Cuba?
The protests were organized by the Cuban government as a form of political intimidation, targeting Hammer for his role as a U.S. diplomat amidst rising international pressure on Cuba over human rights issues.
How did Mike Hammer respond to the protests?
Mike Hammer acknowledged the insults but dismissed the actions as unrepresentative of the Cuban populace, emphasizing his mission to engage with ordinary Cubans about their future aspirations.