The head of the U.S. mission in Cuba Mike Hammer confirmed that the Cuban regime is closely monitoring him during his travels across the island.
“There is a lot of surveillance; the Ladas are seen everywhere, we are being filmed constantly,” Hammer stated this Friday at a press conference from Miami, referring to the cars used by the regime's State Security agents.
"If we turn right, others turn right. I don't like going left, but in any case, if we turn left, they'll go with us," the diplomat joked.
"They are filming me constantly, but I don't mind; what we are doing is what we are saying. Totally transparent," he added.
Hammer expressed concern about incitements on social media from “ciberclarias” to “harass” or “interrupt” their trips.
"Any state has the responsibility to protect any diplomat. And I am sure that the Cuban government will fulfill this," he warned.
The Cuban regime accuses Mike Hammer of lying about the failure of the revolution
The regime's propaganda machinery has reacted to Hammer's press conference this Friday in Miami before U.S. media with an article by Johana Tablada, deputy director general of the United States Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba (MINREX).
The official has accused Hammer of lying in his statements about the failure of the revolution due to the lack of "electricity, fuel, food, and medicine" without any "U.S. policy" intervening.
“False!!!: The unilateral coercive measures by the U.S. against Cuba —known as the blockade— have a direct and severe impact on access to financing, technology, supplies, and medicines, and are even recognized by the UN as the main obstacle to Cuban development,” reads the text published in Cubadebate.
As is customary in the regime's discourse, Tablada has not taken any responsibility for the ongoing crisis on the island and has dismissed the diplomat's claims as false.
"While it is true that there is an economic crisis, blaming solely the Cuban government is a simplification that ignores the multidimensional economic, financial, and trade war imposed from Washington for over six decades," he added.
He also accused Hammer of being interventionist for his recent tours of the island to understand the reality of the average Cuban and meet with opposition figures and members of civil society.
The official has also maintained this point in line with the regime's discourse, labeling the relatives of political prisoners as "figures funded directly or indirectly by the U.S. as victims of the 'regime,' concealing the fact that they have openly called for subversion, sabotage, or violent acts."
The rest of Tablada's article has been a replica of the usual discursive maneuvering of the Cuban regime, blaming the U.S. government for the structural crisis plaguing the island, and denying the existence of the opposition and civil society.
For Tablada, Hammer's press conference aimed, among other points, to "establish a discourse of a failed state regarding Cuba, legitimize diplomatic interference as solidarity, whitewash U.S. sanctions, and absolve responsibility for the blockade."
Hammer: "The revolution has failed."
On Friday, Hammer stated in Miami that the discontent among citizens on the Island is widespread and that “the vast majority” of Cubans believe that “the Revolution has failed.”
Hammer, who has visited all the provinces of the country since his appointment, described a bleak outlook in a press conference with U.S. media after his tours of the island, where he has met with representatives of civil society and activists.
"There is no electricity; as you can see, there are blackouts; there is a shortage of fuel, food, and medicine. People acknowledge that the responsibility lies with the Cuban regime. It has nothing to do with any U.S. policy," he noted.
The diplomat emphasized that his mission has been to hear firsthand from the Cuban people, including sectors traditionally linked to the state apparatus, and that despite the surveillance imposed on him, he is determined to continue these visits.
"I have been traveling across the country and have been inquiring to see if there is interest in having everyday Cubans meet with us to share their concerns, experiences, dreams... and even their criticisms of the Government of the United States," he affirmed.
In his statements, Hammer emphasized that the current U.S. administration plans to intensify its stance toward the regime. "The sanctions announced this Wednesday are just the beginning, not the end. More will come, I can assure you that," he warned, referring to the recent measures against Cuban officials linked to human rights violations.
Reaction to diplomatic activism
Tablada's article contributes to a recent escalation of attacks against the U.S. diplomat through channels aligned with the regime and publications on social media, in which he is accused of acting as an "imperial emissary," violating diplomatic protocols, and promoting an alleged strategy of "hybrid warfare" against Cuba.
Since his arrival in Havana in November 2024, Mike Hammer has maintained an active meeting agenda with civil society actors, which has caused noticeable discomfort within the state apparatus. In recent months, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba has summoned U.S. diplomats on three occasions to express its “strong protest” regarding what it considers acts of “interference.”
At the same time, the Cuban government has used incendiary speeches and unverified data to reinforce the narrative that the U.S. is funding opponents for destabilizing purposes, citing organizations like the NED (National Endowment for Democracy) or USAID as sources of foreign funding for figures like Soler or Ferrer, the latter once again unjustly imprisoned.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cuban Regime's Surveillance of the Head of the U.S. Embassy.
Does Mike Hammer confirm the surveillance by the Cuban regime?
Yes, Mike Hammer confirmed that the Cuban regime is closely monitoring him during his travels across the island, mentioning that he is constantly followed by Lada cars and that he is being filmed.
What is Mike Hammer's stance on the failure of the Cuban revolution?
Mike Hammer stated that the revolution has failed and that the vast majority of Cubans share this opinion due to issues such as the lack of electricity, shortages of fuel, food, and medications, attributing the responsibility to the Cuban regime.
What has been the Cuban regime's response to Mike Hammer's statements?
The Cuban regime, through the deputy director general of the United States Division of MINREX, has accused Mike Hammer of lying about the failure of the revolution, attributing the crisis to the coercive measures of the U.S. and denying any responsibility for the island's economic situation.
What measures does the U.S. government plan to take regarding Cuba?
Mike Hammer indicated that the U.S. administration plans to intensify its stance towards the Cuban regime, announcing that the recent sanctions are just the beginning and that more measures will be implemented in the future.
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