Cuba’s Ministry of Overseas Affairs has issued a press release of protest in opposition to the pinnacle of the USA mission to the island, Michael Hammer.
In a information launch revealed on Friday, the Overseas Ministry accused Hammer, a profession diplomat, of “unfriendly and meddling behaviour” since his arrival in Cuba in late 2024.
“By inciting Cuban residents to commit extraordinarily severe prison acts, attacking the constitutional order, or encouraging them to behave in opposition to the authorities or display in assist of the pursuits and goals of a hostile international energy, the diplomat is participating in provocative and irresponsible conduct,” the Overseas Ministry wrote.
“The immunity he enjoys as a consultant of his nation can’t be used as cowl for acts opposite to the sovereignty and inside order of the nation to which he’s assigned, on this case, Cuba.”
The Overseas Ministry stated the message was delivered by its director of bilateral affairs with the US, Alejandro Garcia del Toro.
Friday’s assertion is the most recent indication of more and more rocky relations between Cuba and the US, notably since President Donald Trump started his second time period in January.
A historical past of tensions
Diplomatic ties between the 2 nations, nevertheless, have been icy for many years, stretching again to the Chilly Battle within the Nineteen Sixties. After the Cuban Revolution of 1959, the US authorities imposed strict commerce restrictions on the island and backed efforts to topple the newly established Communist authorities.
However there have been efforts to ease the tensions, notably in the course of the administrations of Democratic presidents like Barack Obama and Joe Biden within the US.
In 2016, as an example, Obama sought to normalise relations with Cuba, solely to see these efforts rolled again in the course of the first Trump administration, beginning in 2017.
Likewise, President Biden – who previously served as Obama’s vice chairman – eliminated Cuba from the US’s checklist of “state sponsors of terrorism” within the waning days of his time period in January.
However upon taking workplace for his second time on January 20, Trump reversed course as soon as extra, placing Cuba again on the checklist that exact same day.
Trump additionally included in his presidential cupboard a number of officers who’ve taken a hardline stance in direction of Cuba, most notably former Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Born to Cuban immigrants, Rubio is an outspoken supporter of continuous the commerce embargo in opposition to the island.
The Cuban authorities, in the meantime, has continued to accuse the US of trying to destabilise its management.
In Friday’s assertion, the Cuban Overseas Ministry accused Hammer of “public and insulting manipulation” for his latest go to to the tomb of a Nineteenth-century nationwide hero, Jose Marti.
The US Embassy to Cuba posted a video of the go to with a voiceover of Marti’s phrases, “Respect for the liberty and ideas of others, even of probably the most sad sort, is my ardour: If I die or am killed, it will likely be for that.” Critics have interpreted that quotation as an implied endorsement of dissent on the island.
Ramping up strain
In latest months, there have additionally been indicators that Trump plans to as soon as once more tighten the screws on the Cuban authorities, in a return to the “most strain” campaigns that typified international coverage throughout his first time period.
In February, as an example, the Trump administration introduced it could yank visas from anybody who works with Cuba’s medical system, which sends hundreds of healthcare staff overseas annually, notably within the Caribbean area.
Critics have criticised the healthcare programme for its low pay and hefty restrictions on its workers. Trump and Rubio, in the meantime, have claimed the medical system quantities to a type of “compelled labour” that enriches the Cuban authorities. However leaders in Havana have denied that allegation.
Then, in April, the US authorities condemned Cuba for re-arresting a gaggle of dissidents, amongst them outstanding figures like Jose Daniel Ferrer and Felix Navarro.
Cuba had initially agreed to launch Ferrer and Navarro as a part of a discount brokered by the Vatican earlier this 12 months.
Cuba was anticipated to launch 553 prisoners, a lot of whom had been swept up in antigovernment protests, and in alternate, the US was alleged to ease its sanctions in opposition to the island. The sanctions reduction, nevertheless, by no means got here.
An extra measure was taken in opposition to Cuba simply this month. The Division of State, underneath Rubio’s route, decided that “Cuba didn’t absolutely cooperate with US counterterrorism efforts in 2024”. It accused Cuba of harbouring 11 fugitives, a few of whom confronted terrorism-related costs within the US.
“The Cuban regime made clear it was not keen to debate their return to face justice in our nation,” the State Division wrote in a information launch. “America will proceed to advertise worldwide cooperation on counterterrorism points. We additionally proceed to advertise accountability for nations that don’t stand in opposition to terrorism.”
As punishment, Cuba was labelled as a “not absolutely cooperating nation” underneath the Arms Export Management Act, a designation that limits its means to purchase weaponry and different defence instruments from the US.
Moreover, Hammer had not too long ago signalled that new sanctions had been on the best way for the island.
However within the face of Friday’s reprimand, the State Division indicated it was undeterred and would proceed to assist dissidents in opposition to Cuba’s “malign affect”.
