The United States Ambassador to Cuba, Mike Hammer, has described the ongoing situation on the island as a "collapse," highlighting the severe energy and social crises affecting the Cuban people.
During a conversation with Enrique Santos, a communicator with over 1.3 million social media followers, Hammer conveyed that the situation has surpassed a critical breaking point.
"The collapse is already happening. There's hardly any electricity, especially in the provinces. Now, Havana is experiencing the same issues that were once limited to the rest of the country," Hammer remarked.
Widespread Power Outages Illustrate the Crisis
Hammer shared stark examples of the deteriorating conditions: "In Matanzas, Camagüey, Guantánamo, and Santiago, there are places enduring power outages for up to twenty hours a day. People told me they leave their fans on to wake up at one or two in the morning, when the power returns, so they can cook or do laundry before it goes out again. It's incredibly sad."
The ambassador warned that the national energy grid is failing, with the impact now reaching the capital, where blackouts were previously less frequent and more controlled.
"When the Turkish barges left because they weren't being paid, the problem became inevitable. The Turkish company decided it wouldn't continue providing free service," he explained.
Internal Failures, Not External Factors
Hammer's statements align with the U.S. assessment of Cuba's situation: a structural collapse that can no longer be blamed on external factors but rather on the internal exhaustion of the current model.
Hammer's diplomatic efforts focus on listening to the Cuban people. His insights are not theoretical; they come from firsthand experiences as he travels across the island, engaging directly with citizens.
Building Connections Through Diplomacy
Recently, Hammer visited Camagüey, Las Tunas, and Holguín, combining symbolic gestures with political advocacy. On February 2, in Camagüey, he shared a video from the bell tower of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Candelaria, coinciding with the city's patron saint day.
"The bells are ringing here in Camagüey! How beautiful!" he expressed, delivering a message interpreted as a call for hope and renewal amidst the crisis.
One day later, in Puerto Padre (Las Tunas), he attempted to visit activist Vladimiro Martín, who had been detained by state security just before his arrival. In a video, Hammer interacts with a child informing him of his parents' arrest and asks, "What do you want to be when you grow up? A doctor, an engineer, or a president?" This moment, captured by the embassy's cameras, has become emblematic of his human-centered diplomacy, grounded in respect for the daily realities of Cubans.
In Holguín, he met with Monsignor Emilio Aranguren, gifting him a replica of Philadelphia's Liberty Bell to commemorate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. This gesture was seen as a reaffirmation of Washington's commitment to religious freedom and democratic values, contrasting with the regime's authoritarian nature.
Since arriving in Cuba, Hammer has walked the streets, visited churches, and explored neighborhoods to witness firsthand the collapse he describes.
His interview with Santos encapsulates what he has observed during these visits: an exhausted country, devoid of energy, yet still clinging to hope.
"The collapse is already happening," he stated bluntly. In that stark, empathetic phrase, the echoes of Camagüey's bells—recently calling for a break from the past and a rebirth—resound.
Understanding the Cuban Crisis
What did Mike Hammer say about Cuba's energy situation?
Mike Hammer described the energy situation in Cuba as a collapse, with significant power outages, particularly in the provinces, now affecting Havana as well.
How has Hammer's diplomacy impacted his view of Cuba's crisis?
Hammer's firsthand experiences and direct engagement with Cuban citizens have informed his understanding of the crisis, emphasizing the internal failures of the current system.
What symbolic actions has Hammer taken in Cuba?
Hammer has visited multiple provinces, shared messages of hope, attempted to meet with activists, and gifted a Liberty Bell replica, highlighting his commitment to democratic values.