Head of the U.S. Embassy continues support for dissent in Cuba despite pressures from the regime

The U.S. Embassy in Cuba has intensified its denunciations of repression on the island following the recent detention of opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer, stating that it will continue to listen to dissenting voices in the island.

In recent hours, the diplomatic mission has released images from a series of meetings held by the U.S. mission chief, Mike Hammer, with family members of political prisoners, dissidents, and human rights activists in Villa Clara, despite the increasing criticism from the regime.

During a visit to Santa Clara, Hammer heard testimonies from the families of political prisoners Andy García Lorenzo and Aroni Yanko García Valdez.

"We join their request for the release of them and all other political prisoners unjustly imprisoned," declared the diplomat on the social network X, using the hashtag #Todos to reinforce his appeal.

In the same city, Hammer also met with members of the Damas de Blanco movement, Yaima Elena Pérez López and Marbelis González Reyes, who reported that Cuban authorities prevent them from attending mass on Sundays.

“Why?” questioned the official account of the embassy, appealing to the right to freedom of religion.

The head of the U.S. mission also held a meeting with prominent opposition figure and Sakharov Prize winner Guillermo “Coco” Fariñas, leader of the United Antitotalitarian Forum (FANTU), with whom he discussed his journey in the defense of human rights.

Hammer also shared a personal moment with the activist's mother, who is nearly 90 years old.

These statements and meetings take place amid a new diplomatic crisis, exacerbated by the imprisonment of José Daniel Ferrer, an emblematic figure of the Cuban dissidence and leader of the Unión Patriótica de Cuba (UNPACU).

Ferrer was detained again this Tuesday, just three months after being released as part of an international agreement mediated by the Vatican and Washington.

The Cuban regime has pointed out the diplomatic actions of the United States. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, lashed out at Hammer, accusing him of acting as an "activist who encourages Cubans to act against their country."

According to authorities, Ferrer violated the terms of his parole by failing to appear at two court hearings. However, human rights organizations and international observers have denounced his arrest as yet another political punishment in a context of increasing repression.

The arrest occurred following a violent operation at the UNPACU headquarters in Santiago de Cuba, as reported by the opposition member's sister, Ana Belkis Ferrer. During the raid, his wife, youngest son, and several activists present were also arrested.

Frequently Asked Questions about U.S. Support for Dissidents in Cuba