The head of the U.S. Mission in Cuba, Mike Hammer, stated this Friday in Miami that citizen discontent 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 in a press conference before American media a bleak outlook following his tours of the island, where he has met with civil society representatives and activists.
"There is no electricity; you can already see the blackouts; there is a shortage of fuel, food, and medicine. And here, people acknowledge that those responsible are 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 connected to the state apparatus, and that despite the surveillance imposed on him, he is determined to continue with these visits.
"I have been traveling around the country and have been asking to see if there is interest in having ordinary Cubans meet with us to hear their concerns, their experiences, their dreams... even their criticisms of the United States Government," he stated.
In his statements, Hammer emphasized that the current U.S. administration plans to intensify its stance towards the regime. "The sanctions announced this Wednesday are a beginning, not an end. More will come, that I can assure you," he warned, referring to the recent measures against Cuban officials linked to human rights violations.
The Chargé d'Affaires also reported the ongoing surveillance of his movements on the Island: “There is a lot of tracking; you see Ladas everywhere, they are constantly filming us.”
Despite this, he reiterated his intention to continue connecting with the citizenry. “We are transparent. What concerns me is that the authorities and the ciberclarias are encouraging activists to come and disturb and disrupt my trips and activities.”
Hammer has held meetings with opponents, religious leaders, journalists, artists, and entrepreneurs.
Among them, he mentioned figures such as Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, Maykel Castillo “El Osorbo,” and José Daniel Ferrer and Félix Navarro.
In this regard, he harshly criticized the criminalization of protests in Cuba and stated, "It seems unbelievable to me that Havana prohibits the right to demonstrate."
Frequently Asked Questions about the Situation in Cuba and the Role of Mike Hammer
Why does Mike Hammer claim that the Cuban revolution has failed?
Mike Hammer stated that the Cuban revolution has failed based on the widespread discontent of citizens and the critical conditions he observed during his travels across the island, such as the scarcity of food, fuel, medicines, and frequent blackouts. According to Hammer, most Cubans believe that the regime is responsible for this situation, and not the policies of the United States.
How has the Cuban regime responded to Mike Hammer's actions?
The Cuban regime has intensified its attacks against Mike Hammer, accusing him of promoting the destabilization of the country and violating diplomatic protocols. He is accused of driving a "hybrid warfare" strategy against Cuba, and labels have been used on social media to discredit him, such as #FueraHammer and #CubaNoSeVende.
What measures has the U.S. administration taken against the Cuban regime?
The U.S. administration has intensified its stance against the Cuban regime through recently announced sanctions against Cuban officials linked to human rights violations. Hammer stated that these sanctions are just the beginning and that more measures are planned for the future.
What is Mike Hammer's strategy in his interactions with the Cuban people?
Mike Hammer seeks to connect directly with the Cuban people through face-to-face meetings, listening to their concerns, experiences, and criticisms of the government, including the U.S. government. He has made several visits to different provinces and has held meetings with opponents, religious leaders, and representatives of civil society.
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