Mike Hammer, the acting U.S. diplomat in Havana, recently traveled to the Cuban city of Matanzas to advocate for the release of detained Cuban artists, but state officials have kept a close watch on him, documenting his activities.
Since November 2024, Hammer has been leading U.S. diplomatic efforts in Havana as chargé d’affaires. The United States has not appointed ambassadors to Cuba for over 60 years, a situation that arose after Fidel Castro’s regime took control. However, former President Barack Obama did restore a level of diplomatic engagement during his term.
Hammer’s initiatives this year have angered the Cuban government. He began visiting various island nations to meet with citizens, dissidents, and families of political prisoners. He claims that the Cubans extended him a warm welcome during his visits.
The Castro regime has accused him of meddling, suggesting that his actions are a form of “interference.” They label him as a “destructive agent” tasked with promoting U.S. interests through activities like community meetings. In June, Cuban Vice Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cocio remarked to the Spanish news outlet EFE that although the government had considered expelling Hammer, no action had been taken at that time.
While the regime hasn’t expelled Hammer due to his so-called “destructive” behavior, it seems they are actively trying to disrupt his diplomatic engagements. In July, they launched a repressive campaign against journalists and opposition figures invited to U.S. Independence Day celebrations, including arrests, surveillance, and travel bans aimed at preventing participation.
This past Thursday, the U.S. Embassy in Havana released a video featuring Hammer’s recent visit to Matanzas. He expressed on social media that “Art allows artists to connect with the soul of the nation, but only if they can express themselves freely.” He called for the release of Cuban artists held as political prisoners by the Castro government.
Toward the end of the video, footage showed surveillance efforts by Cuban authorities observing Hammer during his visit. Officials in plain clothes took photos and recorded him using their phones.
In his post, Hammer mentioned several detained artists, including Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara, Maykel Osorbo, and Jessica Torres Calvo. Shortly after the video was shared, the embassy clarified that Torres Calvo was still in custody, a term the Castro regime uses to avoid acknowledging complete release.
A human rights organization in Cuba condemned the harsh restrictions placed on detainees, noting that individuals face persecution that severely limits their ability to live normal lives.
Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara, highlighted by Hammer, is a 37-year-old performance artist and prominent figure in the San Isidro movement, which advocates for democratic expression. He was unjustly detained during the historic anti-communist protests of July 2021 and sentenced to five years in prison.
Friends and family of Otero Alcantara recently expressed grave concerns for his well-being. An exiled artist revealed to media outlets that he has been suffering from a serious skin infection while incarcerated.
Maykel Osorbo, a 42-year-old rapper with two Latin Grammy Awards, co-authored the influential song “Patria Y Vida,” which became a rallying cry during the protests. He currently faces a nine-year prison sentence for various charges, including “disturbance” and “assault.”
Reports indicate that Castro officials abruptly canceled visits by Osorbo’s daughter, who had recently turned 10, even though the visit was already approved.
Jessica Torres Calvo is a tattoo artist and graffiti painter who was arrested during the protests in July 2021. She is currently serving a 10-year sentence for “sedition.”
In January, an announcement indicated that negotiations involving Vatican intervention might lead to Torres Calvo’s possible release. This was discussed even as former President Joe Biden’s administration removed Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation that had been reinstated by Donald Trump.
According to various sources, there are still many Cuban artists alongside over 1,000 political prisoners within the regime’s grasp.
