Continuing his stance against the oppressive Cuban regime, U.S. diplomat Mike Hammer convened with Bishop Wilfredo Pino Estevez of Camagüey this Monday. In a move that underscores his defiance, Hammer engaged with the local church leader despite the regime's attempts to intimidate him.
In a social media post, the U.S. Embassy in Cuba stated, "Mission Chief Mike Hammer met with Bishop Wilfredo Pino Estevez in Camagüey. The regime's organized protests won't deter us from connecting with Cubans concerned about the nation's crisis. Like the U.S., the church plays a crucial role in supporting everyday Cubans."
Symbolic Message Amid Political Tensions
Earlier that day, coinciding with the Feast of the Virgin of Candelaria—a day symbolizing renewal—Hammer shared a message that resonated deeply given Cuba's tense political climate. "The bells of Camagüey are ringing! How beautiful! What could it mean? See you in the streets of Camagüey. Until next time!" Hammer expressed in a short video posted on the U.S. Embassy's official account, accompanied by the message: "Beautiful sunrise in Camagüey."
The video featured the bells of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Candelaria, a historic site from the 18th century that was declared a Minor Basilica by Pope Francis in 2014.
Escalating Hostility: Three Incidents in 24 Hours
Tensions between Havana and Washington intensified over the weekend, as the Cuban regime orchestrated a series of hostile acts against Hammer within a single day. Journalist José Luis Tan Estrada reported that the latest incident unfolded in Camagüey on Sunday, where a regime-driven mob harassed the diplomat upon his arrival.
In a circulated video, Dayanny Francés, identified by Tan as a member of the Provincial UJC, was heard leading the verbal attacks against Hammer. "Insiders from various PCC groups in Camagüey sent me this footage of another protest against the U.S. ambassador," Tan noted, later verifying Francés' identity on social media.
This confrontation followed two previous incidents: one in Trinidad on Saturday night, where Hammer was accosted by a small group after meeting with priest and activist José Conrado Rodríguez at the Church of San Francisco de Paula. Professor and researcher Yanetsy Pino described the event as a public act of contempt on Facebook.
Later that night, a second protest erupted at the Hotel Santa María, in Plaza del Gallo, Camagüey, linked to the City's Historian Office. Local authorities organized a group to confront Hammer amid a blackout that plunged the historic center into darkness. The mob hurled insults like "Trump's puppet," "imperialist," "murderer," and "get out of Camagüey," amid a tense atmosphere closely monitored by plainclothes security agents.
U.S. Government Demands End to Cuban Aggression
In response to these escalating hostilities, the U.S. government demanded that Cuba's regime cease its aggressive actions and interference in diplomatic duties. The U.S. Office of Western Hemisphere Affairs declared that the "illegitimate Cuban regime must immediately halt its repressive acts of deploying individuals to disrupt the diplomatic work of Chargé d'Affaires Hammer and Embassy staff."
Hammer himself commented on Saturday, asserting that "those hurling insults do not represent the average Cuban," and reiterated his commitment to engaging with Cubans to discuss their aspirations for a better future.
These three incidents within a 24-hour span signify an unprecedented escalation in the Cuban regime's harassment of a U.S. diplomat, occurring amid mounting international pressure and sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump on Miguel Díaz-Canel's dictatorship.
Understanding the Recent Hostilities in Cuba
What was the purpose of Mike Hammer's visit to Camagüey?
Mike Hammer visited Camagüey to meet with Bishop Wilfredo Pino Estevez as part of his efforts to engage with Cubans concerned about the country's crisis and to demonstrate his defiance against the regime's intimidation tactics.
How did the Cuban regime respond to Hammer's visit?
The Cuban regime organized a series of hostile protests against Mike Hammer, attempting to intimidate him through orchestrated acts of repudiation in Camagüey and Trinidad within a 24-hour period.
How has the U.S. government reacted to the harassment of Mike Hammer?
The U.S. government has demanded that the Cuban regime cease its aggressive actions and interference in the diplomatic work of Hammer, emphasizing the importance of continuing the engagement with the Cuban people despite the regime's intimidation tactics.