During a recent visit to Cuban activist Anna Bensi, the head of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Cuba, Mike Hammer, was met with an orchestrated protest outside her residence in Alamar, Havana, on October 6. Bensi and her mother had recently been convicted, adding tension to the visit.
The following day, the incident was publicized by Razones de Cuba, a site linked to state security, which depicted the event as a spontaneous demonstration by locals upset by the American diplomat's visit.
Despite these claims, a recording reveals a small group chanting slogans against Hammer and criticizing Bensi. This scene echoes the Cuban government's history of staging protests against dissidents and foreign diplomats.
Footage shows Hammer arriving at the building, greeting Bensi and her mother, Caridad Silvente, with a hug on the stairs. Meanwhile, several individuals shouted slogans against the U.S. embargo and demanded the entry of fuel into the island.
Amidst the commotion, Bensi retorted sarcastically to one of the protesters, "You've dropped the iron," followed by calling them a "starving person."
Visit Follows Recent Conviction
The visit occurred shortly after the East Havana Municipal Popular Court sentenced Anna Bensi and her mother to two years of restricted freedom for recording and sharing the visit of an Interior Ministry agent who had come to deliver a summons.
The U.S. Embassy shared images of the visit and criticized the judicial proceedings against the women. "Expressing one's opinion and belief in God and Christian values is not a crime. Why are state agents not in uniform and so afraid of being identified?" the embassy stated.
The message ended with a warning: "Like other diplomatic missions, we're taking note. A responsible government would end these practices. But in Cuba?"
Previous Incidents of Harassment Against Hammer
This isn't the first time Hammer has faced such hostility during his tours of the island. In January and February of 2026, he was targeted by similar protests in Trinidad and Camagüey, and again in June of 2025 in Havana's Regla ferry.
Following these events, the U.S. State Department demanded that Cuban authorities cease dispatching individuals to disrupt diplomatic activities.
Hammer had previously visited Bensi in April under house restrictions and met her again in May alongside members of the Out of the Box Cuba collective.
A report by Cubalex documented at least 86 repressive incidents related to the U.S. Embassy or Mike Hammer between January 23 and September 18, 2026. Of these, 83 were directed at activists, journalists, dissidents, and families of political prisoners, with three targeting the diplomat directly.
Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. Diplomacy in Cuba
What prompted the protest against Mike Hammer's visit?
The protest was organized in response to Hammer's visit to Anna Bensi, an activist recently convicted alongside her mother, which the Cuban government presented as a spontaneous local reaction.
How has the U.S. Embassy responded to incidents of harassment?
The U.S. Embassy has criticized the judicial process against Bensi and her mother and has warned that they are monitoring such repressive practices, urging the Cuban government to cease these actions.
Have there been previous protests against Mike Hammer?
Yes, similar protests have occurred during Hammer's visits to other regions in Cuba, including Trinidad, Camagüey, and Havana, indicating a pattern of organized opposition to his diplomatic activities.