In yet another of its most ridiculous and propagandistic acts, the Cuban regime decided to officially honor a government official for playing a leading role in a blatant harassment operation against the head of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Cuba, Mike Hammer.
The award was granted to Lyzett Castro Toledo, deputy director of the state-owned company Cítricos Caribe S.A., who played a key role in the staged production at the popular little boat in Regla.
The episode, carefully orchestrated by plainclothes State Security agents, took place during a tour by Hammer in which the diplomat chose, true to his approachable style, to take public transportation to attend Mass in Regla.
The staging was as crude as it was pathetic: a "common citizen" - the now-honored Castro Toledo - approached the diplomat aggressively to "tell him the truths," while another recorded everything with a cellphone and regime agents pretended to be spontaneous passengers.
The attempt to turn the scene into an "act of repudiation" completely failed. None of those present joined in the spectacle. Despite the effort, the propagandistic theater was laid bare for its artificiality.
But the grotesque came afterward. The Administration Council of the Plaza de la Revolución municipality proudly published on the tribute to Castro Toledo, highlighting that he "sang the truths that Miker Hammer deserved, face to face and looking him in the eyes."
At the event, Roilan Rodríguez Barbán, a high-ranking official of the Party in the area, praised the official who was essentially used as a supporting political actress.
The public reaction to the absurd decoration was swift.
In the same CAM publication, a freelancer asked if there weren't more important issues to address: "I don't think Mike Hammer is of interest to the residents of the municipality more than all the problems we have."
Others mocked the theatricality of the event: "Everyone's faces are a poem. What a tremendous trick they've played on those people," or "Did they give them a TV Panda?" a Havana mother wrote sarcastically.
And from Miami, a Cuban summed up what many think: "Your sense of ridicule has clearly gone out the window."
While the regime applauds the circus, ambassador Hammer responded with class.
In a video published by the United States Embassy, he calmly recounted the incident and reaffirmed his commitment to street diplomacy, not diplomacy from offices. "That is what I want to do: travel around the country, listen to different opinions from the Cuban people, and share with them," he said.
Her response, firm and devoid of confrontation, defused the attempt at provocation with a lesson in composure and authenticity.
Since his arrival in Havana in November 2024, Hammer has insisted on a policy of rapprochement with Cuban civil society, which has caused evident discomfort among the upper echelons of power.
His willingness to meet with activists, religious leaders, and ordinary citizens has triggered a wave of official harassment.
The regime, unable to control its narrative in the face of direct contact between diplomats and the people, has opted to try to discredit them through smear campaigns, threats, and setups like the one involving the little boat at Regla.
Meanwhile, the protagonist of the regrettable spectacle, Lyzett Castro Toledo, has erased her social media profile, although evidence of her participation and her role as a director of the state-exporting company continues to circulate widely. A belated attempt to hide her involvement in a propaganda operation that was not only unsuccessful but also embarrassing.
The tribute to Castro Toledo, far from strengthening the regime's narrative, once again exposes the disconnect between the Cuban bureaucracy and the priorities of the people.
In a country besieged by economic crises, blackouts, shortages, and mass migration, the authorities celebrate a public official for shouting at a foreign diplomat. A grotesque gesture that clearly depicts the political decay of a system that no longer knows how to hide its failure.
While Cubans continue to demand real solutions to their everyday problems, Mike Hammer, through his presence in the streets, in churches, and among the people, presents a radically different image: that of a diplomacy unafraid to listen, committed to mutual respect, and that, through action, shows to be closer to the Cuban people than the regime's own officials.
Frequently Asked Questions about the incident between the Cuban regime and Mike Hammer
Why did the Cuban regime pay tribute to Lyzett Castro Toledo?
The Cuban regime honored Lyzett Castro Toledo for her role in a propaganda event directed against Mike Hammer, the head of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Cuba. During a tour on the Lanchita de Regla, Castro Toledo confronted the diplomat as part of a setup to harass him. This recognition has been seen as an attempt by the regime to discredit Hammer's direct diplomacy with Cuban civil society.
What was Mike Hammer's reaction to the incident at the Lanchita de Regla?
Mike Hammer calmly responded and reaffirmed his commitment to close diplomacy. In a video released by the United States Embassy, Hammer described the incident without direct confrontation and emphasized his willingness to continue traveling across the country to hear diverse opinions from the Cuban people. His response defused the regime's attempt at provocation, demonstrating composure and authenticity.
How has Mike Hammer's diplomacy affected the Cuban regime?
Mike Hammer's direct diplomacy has unsettled the Cuban regime, which has responded with harassment and defamation campaigns. His engagement with activists, religious leaders, and ordinary citizens has been perceived as a threat to the regime's narrative control. In response, the authorities have attempted to discredit him through propaganda fabrications and allegations of interference.
What measures has the United States government taken in response to the harassment of Mike Hammer?
The United States government has defended the work of Mike Hammer and has summoned the Cuban ambassador in Washington to express its rejection of the harassment. Washington has emphasized that Hammer's actions fall within his diplomatic functions and has reaffirmed its support for the diplomat, highlighting the importance of his engagement with Cuban society and his commitment to human rights.
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