Mike Hammer visits Anna Bensi while facing harassment from State Security



Cary Silvente, Mike Hammer, and Anna Bensi.Photo © X/Embassy of the United States in Cuba

The head of the diplomatic mission of the United States in Cuba, Mike Hammer, visited content creator Anna Sofía Benítez Silvente, known as Anna Bensi, at her home in the Alamar neighborhood in Havana this Tuesday, amidst the pressures that State Security exerts against her and her mother, reported CubaNet

The meeting took place during a blackout at the young woman's home, who is 21 years old, and was attended by her mother, Caridad Silvente, and her sister, Elmis Rivero Silvente.

Hammer was accompanied by Leslie Núñez Goodman, advisor to the Office of Education, Culture, and Press at the diplomatic headquarters.

The pastor Rolando Pérez, known as the Herald of Christ, also participated in the meeting. He was arrested in mid-March in Matanzas for reading the Bible in a public space and took the opportunity to inform Hammer about the violations of religious freedom committed by the regime on the island.

The Embassy of the United States reported the meeting through its official account on X: It was a great pleasure finally meeting Anna Sofía Benítez and her mother. They told me about their situation and that they are under house arrest.

Hammer also conveyed to Anna Bensi the impact of her work: what you say affects and moves a lot of people, the diplomat expressed during the visit.

The situation of Anna Bensi and her mother worsened after being summoned by State Security, charging both of them on March 25. Since then, mother and daughter have remained under house arrest, facing constant pressure from the Cuban authorities.

The physical restrictions were compounded by the , further limiting her ability to communicate with the outside world.

Her sister, on the other hand, managed to arrive in Miami with her two children after leaving Cuba, reported Diario de Las Américas.

Filed under:

CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.