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The warning from State Security that it “will prevent new meetings” of the Chargé d'Affaires of the United States in Cuba, Mike Hammer, with members of civil society, has triggered an outpouring of citizen reactions both inside and outside the island.
In a matter of hours, the post from CiberCuba about the case generated thousands of comments, ranging from indignation and defiance to political humor and hope for an imminent outcome for the regime.
"If they touch it, everything will be over", summarized a reader, in a phrase that was repeated dozens of times in various forms: "Let them try, so they can see what happens", "Play with the chain, not with the monkey", or "That's when things will really get heated".
Others were more explicit: “If they lay a hand on him, the aircraft carriers will come in”, “That’s when the Delta Force arrives”, “It would be their final sentence”.
The common message: the people perceive the American diplomat as a figure who is close, protected, and symbolically untouchable, whose eventual grievance could have immediate international repercussions.
Many users rated the regime's warning as a sign of fear. “They're in a panic, they no longer control anything”, wrote one internet user. “The crap is coming out of their eyes”, joked another.
The term "fear" —in all its variations— was one of the most repeated: "Fear, terror, panic", "they are scared stiff", "they don't dare".
In contrast, the figure of Hammer was elevated to that of a moral and political symbol, in a blend of admiration, affection, and challenge: “That man does more for the Cuban people than all of the Party combined”, “we love him from Cuba”, “God bless him”.
There were also many calls for direct action or future justice: “All those repressors will have to pay when the dictatorship falls”, “they better get ready, the trials will come”, “the people's time is near”.
Several users employed openly violent language: “shoot them”, “burn them alive”, “hang them from the Capitol”. Although they are in the minority, these messages reflect an accumulated social catharsis and a desire for punishment towards the repressive structures of the State.
Amid the torrent of opinions, a minority—less than 5%—supported the government's stance. Some argued that the diplomat "violates protocol" or "engages in political interference", and called for him to "be expelled from the country."
"Deport him, he is an insolent who conspires with criminals", wrote one. Others stated that "around the world, diplomats need permits to travel outside the capital", and tried to justify the warning as "normal procedure".
But those comments were quickly buried by hostile replies: “Cowards, you are suffocating the people” “You do not represent anyone” “Do not hide behind a flag to justify repression”.
In the diaspora, the responses ranged from mockery and sarcasm to the hope for intervention. “Do it, so that Trump has a reason”, wrote a user in direct reference to the U.S. president.
"Let them arrest him and they'll see how missiles rain down on them", commented another. Several explicitly mentioned Marco Rubio, the current Secretary of State, as a key figure: "Marquito won't let this go unpunished"; "If they touch him, Rubio orders fire".
The overall tone was one of patriotic defiance: "Down with the murderous dictatorship", "Homeland and Life", "Death to communism".
Some combined humor with warning: “Don't buy into a war that isn't yours”; “Leave the monkey alone”; “Play with the chain, not with the Rhino”. Others invoked religious imagery: “God will punish you”; “The judgment is coming”; “The future is already here”.
The prevailing sentiment was one of symbolic unity in the face of the threat: “If they touch Hammer, they touch the Cuban people”.
Among the Cubans on the island, many viewed the incident as evidence of the regime's totalitarian isolation and its fear of transparency.
“They don’t want the truth to be known, which is why they persecute those who listen to the people”, said a comment. Another summarized: “The dictatorship fears the word, not the weapons”.
"The State is called Security, but it is only secure for those in power," wrote a user, referring to the daily repression against ordinary citizens.
Messages also emerged that connect the case with the general crisis in the country: "They even censor baseball" "You can't even watch football live anymore" "The people are suffocated".
Several users denounced the double standards of the government, pointing out that Cuban diplomats in Washington "engage in politics freely", while the regime attempts to "shut in" the American representative.
A small group —less combative, yet equally critical— called for caution to avoid a violent scenario. “Don't go crazy, in the end, the family suffers”, commented an internet user, referencing the situation in Venezuela.
Others called for Hammer to “continue doing his job, but with caution”: “We need him alive, not a martyr”, wrote one of the most shared messages.
Together, the publication of CiberCuba became an emotional barometer of the Cuban political moment: a country divided between internal resignation, accumulated fury, and the hope for imminent change.
The digital reaction indicated that, beyond ideological nuances, there is a cross-cutting agreement: repression no longer intimidates; it is seen as a symptom of weakness, not strength.
As a widely supported comment summarized: “The fear has shifted sides. Before, it was the people who were afraid to speak; now it is the regime that fears being heard.”
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