Miami, United States. – The US business manager in Cuba, Mike Hammer, held this week, in Madrid, two meetings with Cuban activists and journalists in Spain, in which he reaffirmed the interest of the US government in supporting the civil society of the island and Understand your urgent needs.
The United States Embassy in Madrid He specified on the social network X that the diplomat had met with political exprisioneros, independent journalists and defenders of Cuban human rights. “Hammer listened to them about the fundamental work they are doing and about the need for democracies in Europe and in the world to be with the Cuban people, starting with asking for the liberation of all political prisoners and respect for freedom of expression and of meeting, ”said the diplomatic headquarters.
During the meetings, which took place Thursday and Friday, Hammer emphasized the importance of establishing direct contacts with independent opponents and organizations. As explained to Diary of Cuba The journalist Luz Escobar, who was present, Hammer said: “For us [el Gobierno de EE.UU.] It is important to have these meetings with civil society actors, to understand what the emergencies and needs are ”.
The exchange also served to highlight the impact of independent initiatives on the visibility of human rights violations in Cuba. Escobar stressed that “there was talk of how that has had an impact internationally, to position the matter Cuba attached to reality in international forums.” Likewise, the internal effect of these actions was discussed, which sometimes force the regime to respond or take action.
A central issue of dialogue was the suspension of funds ordered by the Trump administration, which has had negative consequences on independent media, opposition groups and support for political prisoners. Escobar described this impact as “negative”, highlighting that he puts at risk the articulation achieved by civil society over the years.
For his part, Lázaro Mireles, coordinator of the Actions for Democracy Movement, pointed out the need to restore these resources, arguing that the loss of funds affects the opposition’s ability to continue their work. Mireles also stressed that at the meeting the case of Damir Ortiz Ramíreza seriously ill Cuban child who requires a humanitarian visa to receive medical treatment in the United States. According to Mireles, Hammer showed a willingness to address this issue with US authorities.
During the meeting, which was considered productive by the participants, the activist Yanelys Núñez highlighted the importance of this type of exchanges, which, ”allowed the exiled community to propose initiatives and establish links that strengthen their incidence.
According to the report of Diary of Cubathe journalist Ileana Hernández, from the independent medium Cuba clickHe said he observed “very good will” in Hammer, who suggested that he would deepen contacts with independent civil society.
For its part, activist Carolina Barrero thanked Hammer on Facebook And he said that during the meeting he had talked about the work of the NGO Citizenship and Freedom “in favor of freedom of association, assembly and political participation in Cuba.”
