The head of the U.S. Mission in Cuba, Mike Hammer, was applauded this Sunday at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Regla in Havana during a mass in which the rector of the temple publicly thanked him for his presence and support for Cuban political prisoners.
At the end of the religious celebration, Father Roberto Betancourt Castro addressed words of gratitude to the American diplomat in front of the faithful gathered in the church: "I cannot say goodbye without thanking the representative in Cuba as the head of the U.S. mission for being with us; you honor us with your visit. I say this to highlight that during your first visit, you faced an act of repudiation; this is the barbarity we have reached in this country," the priest expressed.
The rector's words were followed by applause from the attendees at the Mass, as seen in a video posted on the social network X by journalist Miguel Cossío.
In the post accompanying the video, Cossío noted that it featured “the heartfelt words of gratitude from Father Roberto Betancourt Castro, rector of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Regla in Havana, addressed to the Ambassador for his work in favor of the freedom of all political prisoners, for his support and closeness to ordinary Cubans.”
Hammer's presence in the church occurred during a mass where prayers were offered for the release of political prisoners and for a better future for Cuba, a ceremony that the diplomat attended that day at the Havana sanctuary to pray for political prisoners and the future of the country. During the day, Hammer greeted several attendees of the religious celebration and conversed with some of those present.
The visit takes place amidst international attention on the situation of political prisoners on the island. The Cuban regime recently announced the release of 51 individuals sentenced to imprisonment as part of exchanges with the Vatican, although organizations such as Prisoners Defenders have pointed out that so far only a portion of those imprisoned for political reasons have been released.
In recent months, Hammer has been in contact with citizens in various areas of the country and has publicly expressed his concern about the social and political situation on the island, including the recent protests recorded in Morón, Ciego de Ávila.
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Regla is one of the most well-known Catholic temples in Havana and a place of great religious devotion, particularly associated with the Virgin of Regla.
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