During his recent visit to Miami, Mike Hammer, the U.S. Embassy's chargé d'affaires in Cuba, met with two of Cuba's leading opposition figures, Rosa María Payá and José Daniel Ferrer. The U.S. diplomatic mission shared details of these meetings on its official account on X last Friday.
Hammer praised Payá as a relentless advocate for human rights in Cuba and a better future for its citizens, describing their meeting as a pleasure. In a separate message about Ferrer, he expressed his delight in reconnecting with him in Miami, noting Ferrer's dedication to envisioning a brighter future for the Cuban people.
Context of Recent Diplomatic Engagements
These discussions occurred shortly after a week of significant diplomatic activity centered on Cuba at the UN headquarters in New York.
Ferrer, who founded the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) and has been living in exile in Miami since October 2025, participated in the General Assembly debate focusing on the annual resolution opposing the U.S. embargo on Cuba.
He also contributed to the "Cuba Libre: The Oppression Havana Hides" forum, organized by U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, on October 20. This event aimed to provide diplomats with firsthand accounts from former political prisoners and experts on the regime's repressive tactics.
The resolution vote on October 28 resulted in the most unfavorable outcome for Havana since 1992. Only 130 countries endorsed the text, with 17 opposing and 25 abstaining, compared to the 165 votes in favor recorded in 2025.
Regional Shifts and Support
Payá, a commissioner at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and promoter of the Cuba Decide platform, publicly thanked Waltz for his intervention at the General Assembly. She emphasized a regional shift: "For the first time in decades, a majority of Ibero-American countries refused to side with Havana at the UN. Our region supports the Cuban people, not the dictatorship that imprisons and starves them."
This is not Hammer's first meeting with these opposition leaders in Miami. In early 2026, he had a similar discussion with Payá and Ferrer, focusing on the plight of political prisoners in Cuba and the challenges faced by their families.
Engagement with Exiled and Internal Opposition
These meetings are part of Hammer's ongoing dialogue with Cuban opposition both in exile and within the island. In August, he visited the families of political prisoners from the July 11 protests, defying the regime's restrictions, which has led to organized acts of repudiation against him.
Hammer also met with General Francis L. Donovan, head of the U.S. Southern Command, highlighting the increasing pressure Washington is applying on the Cuban regime.
Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. Engagement with Cuban Opposition
Who is Mike Hammer?
Mike Hammer is the chargé d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Cuba, responsible for diplomatic engagements and supporting human rights initiatives.
What are the key issues discussed in Hammer's meetings with Cuban opposition?
Hammer's discussions with Cuban opposition leaders like Rosa María Payá and José Daniel Ferrer focus on human rights, political prisoners, and envisioning a democratic future for Cuba.
Why is the recent UN resolution significant for Cuba?
The recent UN resolution vote marked a significant shift as fewer countries supported Cuba's stance against the U.S. embargo, indicating growing international support for the Cuban people's rights.