LIMA, Peru – Mike Hammer, head of the United States mission in Cuba, assured this weekend in interview for ABC that 2026 is going to be the year in which a historic change occurs within the Island.
In conversation with the Spanish media, the diplomat spoke about the economic, social and political crisis existing in Cuba and about Washington’s actions to accelerate the arrival of freedom and democracy in the Caribbean country.
“We want and are committed to supporting the Cuban people in their aspirations to live in freedom and have economic opportunities. Both the embargo and the measures we are taking now (…) are to force the issue,” Hammer said.
The US chargé d’affaires confirmed that the actions of the Trump administration do not seek to make the Cuban people suffer and highlighted the sending of humanitarian aid after Hurricane Melissa to the eastern Cuban provinces.
Likewise, he recalled that a significant part of the oil that the Castro regime received, around 60% was resold in international markets and it did not benefit ordinary citizens.
Without offering specific names, Hammer confirmed the existence of negotiations and contacts between Washington and powerful figures in Cuba. In this regard, he spoke of pressure on the leadership to create awareness that change is coming.
“The fact is that within the Cuban system there are individuals who realize that the project is already ending and that perhaps they are interested in making a change that they see is necessary.”
The United States, he said, seeks “a peaceful solution where there is no bloodshed” and that includes the release of political prisoners.
Hammer described the current situation as a “historic opportunity” after more than six decades of communist government and the weakening of the external support that Havana received for years, first from the Soviet Union and later from Venezuela under Hugo Chávez and his successor Maduro.
Although he did not set deadlines, the US official stressed that Cuba continues to be a strategic priority for Washington due to its geographical proximity and in terms of defending national security, reiterating that the pressure will continue until the Cuban regime undertakes profound reforms.
“I am not going to go into details about which people or which individuals or who is going to effect or allow this change, but we see it coming, it is approaching (…) People are already asking me: “When?” Not if it will happen, but when the change comes. “The perspective of the population and also at the international level has already changed.”
Hammer also suggested that 2026 could be a decisive year for the Island. “I would say yes, there is going to be a change. In what way? We’ll see,” he declared, attributing this scenario to what he described as an unprecedented approach towards Latin America by the Donald Trump Administration.
The diplomat referred to the role of dissident voices within Cuba and highlighted the role of Camila Acosta, a young correspondent of the ABC in Havana and journalist from Cubanetdetained during the protests of July 11, 2021, whom she described as “brave” and “admirable” for reporting despite pressure from the Cuban authorities.
Regarding the “day after,” he assured that the White House has been preparing scenarios for a transition “as little chaotic as possible” towards “a free Cuba” for some time, with international support and exile participation. Although he avoided estimating timelines for reconstruction, he noted that the deterioration of key infrastructure—energy, health, water, transportation and communications—will require considerable investment.
“It is true that it is a project that is going to take some time and that will require a lot of effort, without a doubt, but seeing the Cubans themselves and the will that exists on the part of the Trump Administration and others, I think it is going to happen in a way that is going to surprise us, a lot.”
