A Cuban mother and her little daughter Daniela approached Mike Hammer, the head of the U.S. mission in Cuba, this Friday during a tour of the Plaza municipality in Havana, to greet him and take a photo with him.
The U.S. Embassy in Cuba shared three images of the meeting on its Facebook page, showing first the greeting, then an embrace between Hammer and the girl, and finally the three of them posing happily for a photograph.
"Pacing through the Plaza municipality in Havana, this mom and her little daughter Daniela wanted to meet me and take a photo. How charming they are, and how warm-hearted the Cuban people are. Thank you for your friendship towards the Yuma," wrote Hammer in the message, signed with his name and accompanied by the tag #ConCubanosDeAPie.
The post sparked numerous reactions from users who took the opportunity to express their affection and appreciation for the American diplomat.
Thank you for your friendship to our people. God bless you, Mike," commented one person, while another wrote: "How nice, I admire that gentleman a lot.
Other messages were even more direct. "You are so beloved," noted one user, while another asserted, "Thank you for being with the people."
There were also expressions of appreciation for the closeness Hammer has shown during his visits to the island. "Thank you for supporting the everyday Cuban," wrote one person. Another noted, "I have never seen a person as helpful and humble as Mr. Hammer."
"You are a being of light. Thank you for such nobility and closeness," wrote another internet user, while another comment summarized: "The people care for and admire the ambassador a lot."
A user also highlighted the way the diplomat interacts with citizens: "Always so polite and humble. Thank you for your good heart towards all Cubans. My respect and admiration for you."
Expressions of affection contrast with the episodes of harassment that Hammer has faced during other visits.
Just one day prior, a small group organized by the regime staged a repudiation act against the diplomat during his visit to activist Anna Bensi and her mother, Caridad Silvente, in Alamar.
As Hammer arrived at the building and greeted both women, a few government supporters shouted slogans against him and the U.S. embargo.
This Friday's event is not the first time Hammer has received public displays of affection during his visits to Cuba.
In February, he expressed gratitude for the thousands of supportive messages he claimed to have received from Cubans and joked about the possibility of sharing a coffee during his travels across the island. On that occasion, he mentioned that he reads the messages, although he cannot respond to all of them.
That direct contact has also been reflected in everyday scenes. In April, Hammer visited a private Cuban barber shop, where several citizens approached him to ask for photos and chat with him.
Since his arrival in Havana, Hammer has maintained a style of diplomacy based on tours of various provinces and direct meetings with citizens, opponents, relatives of political prisoners, and private sector workers.
On several occasions, those visits have sparked acts of repudiation and operations by State Security, but they have also led to numerous expressions of support on social media.
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