HAVANA — The United States on Sunday condemned what it called Cuban “failed intimidation tactics” after small groups heckled U.S. Charge d’Affaires Mike Hammer during meetings with residents and Catholic Church representatives outside the capital. Washington said Cuban authorities were trying to interfere with Mike Hammer’s diplomatic work as tensions rise alongside a broader U.S. pressure campaign, Feb. 1.
Mike Hammer heckled during trips outside Havana
Videos shared online showed Mike Hammer being taunted by small groups as he traveled to meet Cubans, including during nighttime power outages. Cuba’s government has not publicly commented on the clips, and the identities of the people shouting at him were not immediately clear, according to a Reuters report.
In a video posted Saturday after meeting with local church leaders, Mike Hammer described being followed and heckled as he left a parish. “When I left the parish, a few communists, surely frustrated by how bad the revolution is going, shouted obscenities at me,” he said. Other clips showed people calling him “Assassin!” and “Imperialist!” as he walked away.
The State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs urged Havana to stop what it described as efforts to disrupt the mission’s work and said U.S. diplomats would keep engaging with ordinary Cubans. In a post on X, the bureau called the incident part of “failed intimidation tactics” and said the embassy team would continue meeting with the Cuban people.
Pressure campaign raises stakes for Washington and Havana
The dispute has unfolded as the Trump administration tightens its stance on Cuba. An executive order signed Jan. 29 declares a national emergency, describes Cuba as an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security and foreign policy, and outlines a tariff system targeting countries that provide oil to the island, according to the White House order. President Donald Trump also said Sunday that Cuba is “a failing nation,” while adding he believes the United States can reach a deal with Havana.
For Cuban officials, Mike Hammer’s outreach has been a recurring flashpoint. Cuba’s Foreign Ministry last year issued a verbal warning to Mike Hammer, accusing him of “interventionist” behavior and claiming he encouraged Cubans to act against the authorities, allegations the U.S. Embassy rejected, according to
