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The United States Ambassador to Cuba, Mike Hammer, publicly spoke out following the reported act of repudiation in Trinidad, where a group of people confronted him with shouts and insults as he exited the San Francisco de Paula Church after visiting Father José Conrado Rodríguez.
In a message posted from the embassy's Facebook profile, Hammer stated that he continues to travel across the island and that in Trinidad he has been meeting “more everyday Cubans” and discussing their “aspirations” and “desires for a better Cuba.”
Regarding the incident, the diplomat acknowledged that “there have been some” who “have shouted some insults” and suggested that those individuals “belong to a certain party.”
Hammer added that, in his view, "they do not represent the Cuban people, the everyday Cubans," and concluded his statement with "I hope to see you and until next time."
"I believe they belong to a certain party, but I know they do not represent the Cuban people, the everyday Cubans," were his words.
The report of the act of repudiation was made public by professor and researcher Yanetsy Pino, who stated that Hammer went to the parish on Saturday morning.
According to his account, upon leaving the place five people shouted at him and confronted him in public; Pino also mentioned that the video of the incident was sent to him from Trinidad and that at the beginning, you can hear "the yelling" of those who participated.
The journalist José Luis Tan Estrada identified one of the participants at the rally as Emilio González Fritze, who previously was part of the CTC and is currently a "professor at the Party school."
Since the early months of 2025, relations between the Cuban regime and Hammer have been marked by increasing tension.
In this regard, the ambassador has reported ongoing surveillance by State Security during his outings, and the MINREX summoned him at the time to accuse him of inciting citizens to commit crimes and to undermine constitutional order.
Similarly, another act of repudiation against the consular representative has come to light.
In June 2025, at the Lanchita de Regla, he was harassed by regime supporters while the diplomat was heading to mass, and the incident was later presented as an operation orchestrated by State Security.
Then, Hammer downplayed what happened and reiterated his commitment to "street diplomacy", focused on directly listening to citizens.
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