On Monday, Mike Hammer, the head of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Cuba, held a meeting with Dr. Elliston Rahming, the Bahamian ambassador in Havana. Their discussions centered on the ongoing situation in Cuba and the mutual interests of both nations within the Caribbean region.
Hammer shared news of the meeting via the official X account of the U.S. diplomatic mission, accompanied by a photo showing both officials at what appears to be the embassy in Havana. "It was a pleasure to meet with Ambassador Dr. Elliston Rahming of the Bahamas to discuss Cuba's situation and shared Caribbean interests," Hammer remarked. He also highlighted that Rahming pursued higher education in the United States.
This meeting occurs amid heightened diplomatic tensions concerning Cuba. In a notable event in June, the Cuban regime delivered a letter in the Bahamas warning of a potential military aggression by Washington against the island, illustrating the current state of relations between Havana and its Caribbean neighbors.
The relationship between the Bahamas and Cuba is undergoing adjustments. Pressured by Washington, Nassau announced the termination of contracts with Cuban medical brigades operating in the archipelago in June 2025. Subsequently, they explored ways to directly compensate Cuban healthcare professionals still in the country.
Despite these pressures, the Bahamas has maintained a humanitarian approach towards Cuba. At the beginning of August, they sent pediatric oncology medications in three shipments to the island, addressing a severe healthcare crisis where only 30% of essential medications are available, with over 460 critical drugs out of stock.
Hammer has been active in Havana since November 2024, engaging directly with the Cuban populace. He has traveled across provinces, meeting with dissidents, independent journalists, and families of political prisoners. This proactive diplomacy resulted in a formal verbal warning from the Cuban regime in May 2025 and organized acts of repudiation by government-aligned groups in February of this year.
Simultaneously, Hammer has maintained a busy regional agenda. In May, he participated in the Western Hemisphere Chiefs of Mission Conference at the Southern Command in Florida, where he met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and General Frank Donovan, focusing primarily on Cuban issues.
Dr. Rahming was appointed as the Bahamian ambassador to Cuba in February 2022 by Prime Minister Philip Davis, marking his third diplomatic role in this position. Diplomatic relations between the Bahamas and Cuba have been established since 1974.
Understanding the Diplomatic Dynamics Between the Bahamas and Cuba
Why did the Bahamas terminate contracts with Cuban medical brigades?
The Bahamas ended contracts with Cuban medical brigades under pressure from Washington to explore alternative compensation methods for Cuban healthcare workers remaining in the country.
What was the content of the letter delivered by Cuba in the Bahamas?
The letter warned of a potential military aggression by the United States against Cuba, reflecting the strained diplomatic relations between the two nations.
How has Mike Hammer engaged with the Cuban population?
Mike Hammer has been actively engaging with the Cuban people by traveling across provinces and meeting with dissidents, independent journalists, and relatives of political prisoners.