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The U.S. government urged the Cuban regime to cease interference with the diplomatic efforts of its chargé d'affaires at the embassy in Havana, Mike Hammer, following the recent act of repudiation he faced in Camagüey.
"The illegitimate Cuban regime must immediately cease its repressive actions of sending individuals to interfere with the diplomatic work of Chargé d'Affaires Hammer and the members of the Embassy team. Our diplomats will continue to meet with the Cuban people, despite the regime's failed intimidation tactics," stated on X the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.
The incident occurred on Saturday at the Hotel Santa María, located in Plaza del Gallo in Camagüey, where Hammer was confronted by a crowd mobilized by local authorities.
The verbal aggression occurred amid a general blackout that left the historic center of the city in darkness.
Witnesses of the incident recorded the insults directed at the diplomat, including "Donald Trump's puppet," "imperialist," "murderer," and "get out of Camagüey."
The videos were shared by journalist Mario J. Pentón and activists Irma Lidia Broek and José Raúl Gallego.
One day earlier, Hammer had been the target of a similar episode in the city of Trinidad, where a group of people insulted him outside the San Francisco de Paula Church, following a meeting with the priest and activist José Conrado Rodríguez.
The diplomat then stated that those who hurled insults "do not represent the Cuban people" and asserted that his visit aims to meet "everyday Cubans and listen to their aspirations for a better Cuba."
The new act of repudiation in Camagüey has reignited criticism of the harassment tactics employed by the Cuban regime against opponents, journalists, and now foreign diplomats.
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