Over the weekend, tensions between Havana and Washington intensified as the Cuban regime orchestrated a series of hostile demonstrations against U.S. Ambassador to Cuba, Mike Hammer, within a 24-hour period.
According to reports by journalist José Luis Tan Estrada, the third and most recent incident took place on Sunday in Camagüey. Upon the ambassador's arrival, a crowd incited by the regime confronted him with hostility.
A video that surfaced reveals Dayanny Francés, identified by Tan as a member of the Provincial UJC, leading the verbal attacks against Ambassador Hammer.
"Internal sources from various PCC groups in Camagüey sent me this video of yet another act of repudiation, which occurred this morning against the U.S. ambassador," noted Tan, who later verified Francés' identity on social media.
This incident follows two others that occurred earlier in Trinidad and again in Camagüey, both taking place on Saturday night.
The first, in Trinidad, saw the diplomat confronted by a small group after exiting the Church of San Francisco de Paula, where he had met with priest and activist José Conrado Rodríguez.
Yanetsy Pino, a professor and researcher, reported on Facebook that five individuals hurled insults at the ambassador in public, describing the scene as an act of repudiation. "The video was sent to me from Trinidad; you can hear the shouting from the participants in the initial seconds," she recounted.
Later, on Saturday evening, a second act of repudiation took place at the Hotel Santa María in Camagüey's Plaza del Gallo, a location associated with the City's Historian Office. Reports indicated that a mob, organized by local authorities, awaited the ambassador's arrival from Ciego de Ávila amidst a citywide blackout.
During the confrontation, protesters shouted insults such as "Trump's puppet," "imperialist," "murderer," "get out of Camagüey," and "end the blockade," in a charged atmosphere monitored by plainclothes security agents.
Videos shared by witnesses depicted young people mobilized with political slogans reminiscent of those used in previous decades against dissidents, journalists, and foreign diplomats.
In light of the increased hostility, the United States government demanded that the Cuban regime cease its aggression and interference with Ambassador Hammer's diplomatic duties.
The Office of Western Hemisphere Affairs of the U.S. government issued a statement on X emphasizing the need for the regime to halt these actions.
Ambassador Hammer himself stated on Saturday that "some have shouted insults, but they do not represent the everyday Cuban people," reaffirming his commitment to continue touring the country to "meet more Cubans and discuss their aspirations for a better Cuba."
The three acts of repudiation within such a short span represent an unprecedented escalation in the Cuban regime's harassment of a U.S. diplomatic representative, amidst growing international pressure and sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump on the dictatorship led by Miguel Díaz-Canel.
Understanding the Cuban Regime's Hostility Towards U.S. Diplomats
What incidents have recently escalated tensions between the U.S. and Cuba?
Tensions have heightened due to three acts of repudiation against U.S. Ambassador Mike Hammer within 24 hours, organized by the Cuban regime in Trinidad and Camagüey.
How has the U.S. government responded to these acts of hostility?
The U.S. government has demanded that the Cuban regime cease its aggression and interference with the ambassador's diplomatic activities, emphasizing the need to protect diplomatic rights.
What has Ambassador Hammer said regarding the acts of repudiation?
Ambassador Hammer remarked that those shouting insults do not represent the average Cuban citizen and expressed his intent to continue engaging with the Cuban populace.