A message that many Cubans longing for systemic change, greater prosperity, and economic opportunities were hoping to hear came from Mike Hammer, head of the U.S. Mission in Cuba, when he stated that he anticipates transformations in the island by 2026.
The statements were made in an interview with Telemundo, where he emphasized that the economic and energy crisis has brought the country to an unsustainable point.
"I believe there will be a change in 2026. There will be a change. It's just not sustainable," he asserted.
Hammer described a profound deterioration of the energy infrastructure, a decline in tourism, and a general worsening of living conditions.
As he explained, during his travels around the island, he has heard citizens express that the current model is not working and that the situation is worsening year after year.
Although he avoided detailing how that eventual change would occur, he acknowledged that there are ongoing discussions and maintained that the current context is different from previous crises, particularly due to the absence of an external ally to financially support the regime.
The official insisted that any transition should create opportunities for Cubans to thrive, rebuild the country’s infrastructure, and develop their economy with greater freedom and dynamism.
At another point in the interview, Hammer stated that “the Cuban revolution has failed” and described the situation on the island as a deep economic and social deterioration, marked by an energy crisis, a decline in tourism, and an increase in insecurity.
Furthermore, he assured that the time has come to intensify efforts in light of the serious crisis facing the island, stating that “it is time to accelerate things” because the situation is becoming increasingly complicated for the Cuban people due to the communist regime.
Similarly, he pointed out that the current crisis facing the island is different from the Special Period of the 1990s because the regime no longer has the oil support from Venezuela.
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