The official journalist Oliver Zamora Oria, in a comment broadcasted by Canal Caribe, spent several minutes discrediting the Chargé d'Affaires of the United States Embassy in Havana, Mike Hammer, whom he accused of being “the executioner with the face of a friend.”
The communicator criticized the recent intervention by Hammer at a press conference in Miami, where the diplomat stated that “the Cuban revolution has failed”, citing as evidence the blackouts, the scarcity of food and fuel, and the widespread deterioration of living conditions on the island.
Zamora Oria described that statement as part of a supposed "cruel" and "sadistic" strategy by the United States to deliberately suffocate Cuba. According to him, those who design the policy towards the island "face a great contradiction": they blame the socialist system for the economic collapse, while at the same time, he says, "they acknowledge and detail the measures they take to strangle the economy of this country."
“With morbidity and cruelty, it must be said as such, in their faces, with a sadistic pleasure, they also recognize, explain, and detail the measures they take to strangle the economy of this country”, affirmed the journalist.
Instead of confronting Hammer's analysis of the Cuban structural crisis with data or arguments, Zamora Oria chose a discourse that exclusively blamed U.S. sanctions. He lamented that no journalist present at the conference in Miami questioned the diplomat about the sanctions on shipping companies that transport fuel to the island, the financial difficulties stemming from over 1,000 blocked banking operations, or the obstacles to purchasing parts intended for the aging thermoelectric plants.
Zamora also mocked Hammer's tours around the island. “He has been able to travel around Cuba, something that is prohibited for his compatriots by the government he represents. And during those tours where he wears a friendly face, he hasn't had to explain to a mother why her son residing in the United States cannot send her assistance [...] or why she cannot travel due to the migration terror unleashed by Donald Trump's government.”
Although the speech aimed to convey indignation towards Washington's policies, it avoided mentioning the Cuban state's responsibility for the productive dismantling, the lack of structural reforms, and the repression faced by the country, which are central factors in the national crisis.
The journalist concluded his speech by saying that “the most outrageous thing is not that the executioner comes with a friend’s face. The most outrageous thing is that with that purpose they seek to mock our suffering [...] they underestimate our intelligence and our ability to think”.
This speech aligns with other reactions from the Cuban regime. Recently, Johana Tablada, deputy director general of the U.S. Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba (MINREX), accused Hammer of lying about the failure of the revolution, attributing the crisis to coercive measures from the U.S. and denying any responsibility for the economic situation on the island.
Despite the criticism, Hammer has maintained his stance, stating that his mission is to hear firsthand from the Cuban people and that the recently announced sanctions are just the beginning of a firmer U.S. position towards the Cuban regime.
Frequently Asked Questions about Criticisms of the Cuban Regime and Mike Hammer's Stance
Why does journalist Oliver Zamora Oria criticize Mike Hammer?
Oliver Zamora Oria criticizes Mike Hammer for his statements regarding the failure of the Cuban revolution and accuses him of being a "executioner with the face of a friend." Zamora Oria maintains that Hammer is part of a U.S. strategy to economically suffocate Cuba, ignoring the regime's responsibility for the internal crisis in the country.
What is Mike Hammer's stance on the Cuban revolution?
Mike Hammer states that the Cuban revolution has failed, pointing to issues such as blackouts, food shortages, and the deterioration of living conditions on the island. Hammer argues that these problems are the responsibility of the Cuban regime and not of U.S. policies.
How has the Cuban regime reacted to Mike Hammer's statements?
The Cuban regime has intensified its attacks against Mike Hammer, accusing him of promoting the destabilization of the country. Officials such as Johana Tablada have labeled his statements as lies and have blamed U.S. sanctions for the economic crisis, denying any responsibility of the Cuban regime.
What do Cuban opposition figures think about Mike Hammer's work?
Cuban opponents support Mike Hammer's work and believe that his humanitarian approach highlights the reality of everyday Cubans and the suffering of dissidents. They view his activism as a model for other ambassadors and appreciate his willingness to engage in dialogue with Cuban civil society.
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