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The Cuban opposition leader Berta Soler, founder of the Ladies in White movement and winner of the Sakharov Prize from the European Parliament, attended the Palm Sunday mass this Sunday at the Santa Rita church in Havana, accompanied by the head of the United States Embassy in Cuba, Mike Hammer.
According to the activist and former political prisoner Ángel Moya Acosta, in a post on his Facebook account, Soler's participation was possible despite a repressive operation by State Security around the headquarters of the Damas de Blanco, in the municipality of Lawton.
“The American diplomat arrived at the location and picked up Berta,” Moya explained. “On their way back from Mass, as both of them exited the diplomatic vehicle, a State Security agent, the one shown in the photo, began gathering visual information through a video camera,” he added.
Moya reported that this type of surveillance and harassment has been a constant over the last ten years, during which the regime has prevented the Ladies in White from exercising their right to religious freedom.
During this period, dozens of women have been repressed for attempting to attend Mass, primarily at the Santa Rita church, a traditional gathering place for the opposition group on Sundays.
The presence of the chargé d'affaires of the U.S. Embassy at the religious event represents a gesture of symbolic support for peaceful activism on the island, in a context marked by harassment of dissenting voices.
Mike Hammer, a diplomat with more than 35 years of experience, assumed his position as head of the U.S. Embassy in Havana in November 2024, replacing Benjamin G. Ziff.
Since then, she has held meetings with opposition leaders, artists, and religious leaders, in an effort to keep lines of communication open with different sectors of Cuban civil society.
In December of last year, the U.S. embassy celebrated Human Rights Day with a meeting between Hammer, Berta Soler, and the dissident Martha Beatriz Roque, who was honored with the 2024 Brave Women Award. On that occasion, the diplomatic mission posted on X (formerly Twitter):
"In celebration of #HumanRightsDay, it was an honor to meet with Berta Soler from the Ladies in White and Martha Beatriz, who was awarded the #BraveWomen 2024 prize. The United States calls for greater respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba."
Frequently Asked Questions about Repression and Activism in Cuba
What happened at the Palm Sunday mass that Berta Soler attended?
Berta Soler attended the Palm Sunday Mass accompanied by the head of the United States Embassy in Cuba, Mike Hammer, despite a repressive operation by State Security. Upon her return, State Security recorded her arrival, highlighting the ongoing harassment faced by the Ladies in White.
Who is Berta Soler and what is her significance in Cuban activism?
Berta Soler is the leader of the opposition movement Ladies in White, known for her peaceful struggle against repression in Cuba. She has been a prominent voice in defending human rights and has faced numerous reprisals for her activism.
What was the Cuban regime's reaction to Mike Hammer's visit?
The Cuban regime criticized Mike Hammer, accusing him of having an anti-Cuban agenda and of destabilization. According to state-run media, any diplomatic dialogue from Washington with the dissent is seen as a conspiracy. These accusations reflect the control that the regime attempts to maintain over activism and opposition on the island.
What has been the support of the U.S. Embassy in Cuba towards Cuban dissidents?
The U.S. Embassy, under the leadership of Mike Hammer, has shown strong support for the Cuban dissidents. Hammer has held meetings with opponents, religious leaders, and activists, and has publicly expressed the United States' concern for the human rights situation in Cuba.
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