The U.S. ambassador in Havana, Mike Hammer, reacted with diplomatic elegance and firmness to the incident involving State Security agents during his journey on the small boat to Regla.
In a video shared by the United States Embassy in Cuba on its X account (formerly Twitter), Hammer described his Sunday agenda in the context of the Pentecost festival and addressed—without direct confrontation—the attempted "act of repudiation" he experienced during the tour.
In his message, the diplomat recounted how he decided to take the popular boat that connects Old Havana with Regla to attend mass at the historic chapel of Our Lady of Regla, “a beautiful temple where Yemayá is also venerated and which retains a balcony from where Father Félix Varela spoke in his time.”
According to Hammer, before boarding the ferry, he interacted with fishermen and locals from Havana who were on their way to church. "It was a good opportunity to exchange," he stated. However, the key moment of the video came when, in a calm tone and without making direct references to the regime's setup, he addressed the incident inside the boat.
“A lady approached there, wanting to offer her opinion, some criticisms obviously directed at the policies of the United States. Some said it was staged, I don’t know. But, in any case, that’s what I want to do: travel the country, listen to different opinions from the Cuban people, and share with them,” affirmed the diplomat.
With this statement, Hammer deliberately downplayed the aggression he suffered, which was orchestrated by plainclothes agents who confronted and recorded him in a propaganda maneuver that failed to involve the other passengers.
The diplomat, far from portraying himself as a victim or responding with direct accusations, used the moment to reinforce his commitment to a citizen-centered approach, making it clear that his presence on the Island will not be limited to official halls, but will also extend to the streets, neighborhoods, and places of worship where everyday Cubans live and pray.
After recounting the exchange, Hammer highlighted the mass at the church of Regla, where he met with Father Castro and representatives from the Vatican. He also paid tribute to the Virgin of Regla and described the day as "a beautiful day, a lovely Sunday."
Another episode in the escalation of tensions
The gesture from Hammer comes a day after CiberCuba exclusively revealed details of the incident in the small boat, involving individuals identified as members of the regime's repressive apparatus.
Even a uniformed officer from the National Revolutionary Police pretended to mediate at the scene to give it an appearance of spontaneity.
This episode is part of a growing campaign of harassment by the Cuban regime against the U.S. diplomat, who has been summoned several times by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) under accusations of “interference” and “provocative behavior”.
The Deputy Director General of the United States Department of MINREX, Johana Tablada de la Torre, even issued a public threat, warning that “patience should not be confused with weakness.”
Meanwhile, official media and profiles controlled by the State Security have intensified their discrediting campaign, accusing him of promoting destabilization and inciting the Cuban people against the government.
Diplomacy without fear
With his response this Monday, Hammer has chosen not to escalate the confrontation, but he has been unequivocal on one key point: he will not stop his engagement with Cuban civil society.
Instead of retreating, the State Department official insisted that their diplomatic role includes listening to all voices — even critical ones — and being present in the spaces where Cubans live their daily lives.
The ambassador's attitude has been interpreted by analysts as a symbolic yet effective response: it is not about ignoring the provocation, but rather exposing it without escalating the situation, thereby neutralizing the regime's propaganda attempt while reaffirming, at the same time, his commitment to a diplomacy focused on human rights, religious freedom, and engagement with the Cuban people.
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