U.S. diplomat Mike Hammer is under fire in Havana after Cuban officials accused him of “interventionist” behavior and labeled him a “subversive agent.” The communist regime claims Hammer is inciting unrest—raising the stakes in an already fragile U.S.-Cuba relationship.
Diplomatic Relations Deteriorate
Cuban authorities have issued a formal verbal warning to Mike Hammer, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Havana, accusing him of violating diplomatic protocols by meeting with political dissidents and traveling throughout Cuba to engage with local communities. The Cuban foreign ministry claims these actions constitute interference in Cuba’s internal affairs and breach the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which governs how diplomats should conduct themselves in host countries.
Hammer, who has served as the top U.S. diplomat in Cuba since November 2024, has been particularly active in meeting with families of political prisoners and dissidents. Cuban officials interpret these meetings as deliberate attempts to foment unrest and destabilize the communist government. Despite these accusations, Cuba has not restricted Hammer’s movements within the country, though that could change if the situation escalates further.
Chargé d'Affaires Mike Hammer remains steadfast in his diplomatic engagement in Cuba, standing with the brave Cuban people as they endure repression and economic hardship wrought by the Cuban regime. The United States is committed to bearing witness and amplifying their voices in… pic.twitter.com/dZIhAF15PP
— Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (@WHAAsstSecty) May 28, 2025
Expulsion Threat Emerges
Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío raised the stakes by publicly discussing the possibility of expelling Hammer from Cuba. In statements made Wednesday, Fernández de Cossío characterized Hammer as a “subversive agent” whose actions are allegedly directed by U.S. policy aimed at undermining the Cuban government. The threat marks a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
The warning to Hammer comes shortly after his announcement of potential further U.S. sanctions against Cuba, adding fuel to an already tense relationship. Cuban officials appear particularly concerned about the reactivation of Trump-era policies, including Cuba’s reinstatement on the U.S. list of State Sponsors of Terrorism and the reimposition of travel restrictions that had been eased under the Obama administration.
Read full story here: https://t.co/HPEcszeQKf#SOSCuba #MikeHammer #CubaRelations #Propaganda #CubaIsADictatorship #CubaEsUnaDictadura pic.twitter.com/JGaGaY9UCp
— Jóvenes de la Resistencia (@jar_cuba) June 12, 2025
U.S. Defends Diplomat’s Actions
The U.S. State Department has strongly defended Hammer’s conduct, characterizing his outreach efforts as consistent with standard diplomatic practice and American foreign policy objectives. Officials emphasized that Hammer is implementing President Trump’s “America First” approach while seeking accountability from the Cuban regime for what they describe as its “malign influence” throughout the Americas.
The State Department has also made it clear that Hammer will continue his engagement with Cuban citizens despite the warnings. “We will continue to meet with Cuban patriots, religious leaders, and those fighting for the freedoms of Cubans,” a department official stated. This stance directly challenges Cuba’s interpretation of diplomatic boundaries and suggests that the U.S. is unwilling to modify its approach to relations with the island nation.
Economic Context and Strategic Resistance
The diplomatic confrontation unfolds against the backdrop of Cuba’s severe economic crisis, which the government attributes largely to the long-standing U.S. embargo. Cuban officials have expressed their belief that anti-Cuban sectors in the U.S. are influencing policy toward their country, particularly following Trump’s return to office. Fernández de Cossío indicated that Cuba anticipated this possibility and has prepared strategic responses.
“History has shown that every time they have a period like the current one, when they believe that their goal of overthrowing the Cuban government and destroying the Cuban revolution is near, they rush into action, pretending that this is the step they need to take.” Fernández de Cossío
Despite the harsh rhetoric, Cuban officials have emphasized their desire to maintain diplomatic channels with the U.S. while resisting what they view as American aggression. Fernández de Cossío stated that Cuba intends to respond “creatively” to U.S. actions without taking hostile measures against either the United States or its people, suggesting a cautious approach to the current diplomatic crisis.