The United States Embassy in Cuba publicly denounced a new escalation of harassment against Cuban citizens who attempted to meet with the American mission chief, Mike Hammer.
According to the diplomatic mission's social media, several individuals were detained or intimidated by the authorities shortly before the diplomat arrived at their homes, in what was described as a deliberate attempt to prevent direct contact with the population.
In a post on Facebook, the embassy recounted what happened in Puerto Padre, Las Tunas.
"I wanted to visit Vladimir Martín, but he was detained just before we arrived at his house. Why? At least he was released after we left. This happened to several others whom I would have liked to meet because they wanted to talk to me," Hammer stated.
Nevertheless, the official emphasized that he will continue to go wherever he is invited because "the work of a diplomat is to understand the reality of the country to which he is assigned and to inform our capital."
The complaint was accompanied by a video showing Hammer arriving at a house where he expected to meet with the family.
He showed up there, inquired about the owners of the house, and spoke with a child. The child explained that his parents had told him to convey a message: they had been detained. Hammer expressed his regret about the situation and asked that they send his regards and his wish that he could have seen them.
The situation was confirmed by opposition activists.
José Daniel Ferrer reported that Vladimir Martín Castellanos and his wife Iliana Marrero were detained to prevent them from meeting with the diplomat in Puerto Padre.
Vladimir Martín, a member of UNPACU in that area, reported in a video that they had been monitored by the political police for hours prior. The officers showed up at his house and warned them that if the ambassador took the road to Puerto Padre, they would be arrested.
Finally, around 11:30 am, he and his wife were arrested and taken to a place known as El Cayo, where they remained detained until about 5:00 pm.
After being released, Martín reaffirmed his invitation to the diplomat: he assured that the doors of his home remain open to welcome him whenever he wishes.
Ferrer also reported the detention of Ezequiel Morales Carmenatti and stated that Taimir García Meriño, a former political prisoner, was kept under threats and surveillance.
"The tyranny does not want peaceful opponents and the general public to meet with the United States Ambassador in Cuba, Mike Hammer," he stated.
"The political police of the Castro communist regime has already organized more than 5 or 6 acts of repudiation against this supportive American diplomat, who is very beloved and highly esteemed by the Cuban people, by human rights defenders, by the families of political prisoners, and by the political prisoners themselves," he stated.
Ferrer shared a video of the arrest of Ezequiel Morales in Las Tunas, who was taken by State Security in front of his wife and granddaughter without any explanation.
After being released, Ezequiel stated that at his home he welcomes anyone and reiterated that Mike Hammer has an open invitation to his house.
This pattern of arrests, surveillance, and threats is yet another manifestation of the regime's fear of any direct contact between a foreign diplomat and the citizens.
But for Washington, the message is clear: despite the pressure, Hammer will continue traveling across the country and meeting with Cubans to gain firsthand insight into their situation.
On Monday, the diplomat met in Camagüey with Monsignor Wilfredo Pino Estevez, the bishop of that diocese.
The Embassy emphasized that the repudiation acts organized by the regime will not prevent them from continuing to meet with concerned Cubans about the crisis facing the country and highlighted the role of the Church in supporting the population.
That same day, Hammer shared a symbolic video from the bell tower of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Candelaria, conveying a message of hope amidst the tense political climate.
However, the previous weekend saw at least three acts of repudiation against the diplomat in Trinidad and Camagüey, with crowds mobilized to harass him upon his arrival.
The series of arrests of citizens who merely intended to welcome a foreign representative reinforces the image of a state that resorts to control and intimidation to isolate the population and prevent any free exchange of ideas.
In light of this, Hammer's stance—continuing to go where he is invited—has been viewed as a gesture of support for everyday Cubans and their right to express themselves without fear.
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