Diplomats from the United States Embassy in Cuba marched on Tuesday alongside Cuban worshippers through the streets of Havana to celebrate the Day of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, the patroness of the island.
The diplomatic mission shared its participation on its Facebook account, featuring photos from the mass held at the Parish of Our Lady of Charity - presided over by the cardinal and archbishop of Havana, Juan de la Caridad García Rodríguez - along with the subsequent procession through the streets of Havana.
"This afternoon, officials from the United States Embassy joined the Cuban people in Havana for the Mass in honor of the Virgen de la Caridad and the procession through the city's streets," the embassy wrote in its post, accompanied by the hashtag #WithCubansStandingUp and the flags of both countries.
The images show the deputy chief of mission Roy Perrin sitting in the temple listening to the celebration and also walking through the streets alongside the crowd, during a celebration that blends Catholic devotion with national identity.
The embassy also released a video on Tuesday that recalls the visit of Mission Chief Mike Hammer and his wife Margret to the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Charity in El Cobre, Santiago de Cuba, where they lit a candle for Cuba and its people.
That visit took place during a tour to speak with beneficiaries of the humanitarian assistance provided by the Trump administration following the passage of the hurricane Melissa, which destroyed more than 80% of the stained glass in the sanctuary and knocked down a marble angel.
"On this day of Cachita, we share the faith and hope that unites so many Cubans inside and outside the Island," the embassy added in its message.
The participation of diplomats in religious events reflects a consistent policy of outreach to Cuban civil and religious society that the embassy has maintained over the past two years. On Palm Sunday, Perrin and his wife attended the Basilica of San Francisco de Asís in Havana, in solidarity with the people and political prisoners.
In February 2025, Hammer visited the Sanctuary of El Cobre and left a bouquet of sunflowers as an offering, describing the experience as "lovely and moving."
In Havana, the celebrations included a procession organized by the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús parish in Vedado with the image of the Virgin carried on a platform among yellow and white flowers.
As U.S. diplomats marched alongside the Cuban people, the regime deployed a police operation to prevent members of the Ladies in White from attending the religious events.
The Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, popularly known as "Cachita," was proclaimed the Patroness of Cuba in 1916 by Pope Benedict XV at the request of veterans of the independence.
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