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The head of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana, Mike Hammer, called on Wednesday in Rome for support of a "peaceful and prompt" transition in Cuba during a meeting with members of the Cuban exile community in Italy.
“It is crucial that everyone comes together globally, be it the Vatican, the Italian government, or the Cuban people in exile, to support a transition that we hope will happen soon and peacefully,” Hammer stated in remarks to EFE.
The American diplomat has been in Italy since the end of last week. On Friday, he held meetings at the Vatican, including one with the Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.
The meeting also included the United States Ambassador to the Holy See, Brian Burch.
Hammer explained that his visit aims to emphasize the need for change on the island so that the Cuban people have "the opportunity to live in freedom." In this context, he highlighted the role that the Catholic Church can play in Cuba.
"We have been speaking with them to see what can be done to try to ensure that we can achieve a change in a peaceful manner," he stated.
Before his visit to Rome, the diplomat was also in Madrid, where he held meetings with representatives of the Spanish government. He indicated that the conversations were "fruitful" and aimed at garnering international support.
Hammer emphasized that he has conveyed to his European counterparts the importance of "joining this effort and telling the regime that it is time for the human rights of the Cuban people to be respected."
Additionally, he connected his efforts to the meeting he held on January 9 in Washington with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which the lines of pressure and diplomacy towards Cuba for this year were established.
Regarding the United States' sanctions policy, he defended that its goal is to "prevent resources from entering the repressive machinery of the Cuban regime" and assured that the ultimate objective is to enable Cubans to decide their future "without the repression that exists there."
The statements from the U.S. representative come at a time of renewed international pressure on Havana and an intensification of diplomatic efforts to promote a democratic transition on the island.
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