MIAMI, United States. – The United States Undersecretary of State, Christopher Landau, assured that Washington knows the identity of the people who harassed to the chargé d’affaires of his country in Cuba, Mike Hammerduring recent tours of the Island and announced that it will respond, “among other things,” with visa sanctions against those involved.
“Small groups of agents of the Cuban regime have been harassing our distinguished Chargé d’Affaires in Havana, Ambassador Mike Hammer, as he travels around the Island in the performance of his diplomatic duties. I want these people to understand that we know who they are, and we will respond accordingly with, among other things, visa sanctions,” Landau wrote. on his official account on X.
In the same message he added: “Under basic standards of international law, diplomats must be free to carry out their duties without harassment from thugs.”
Small groups of agents of the Cuban regime have been harassing our distinguished Chargé d’Affaires in Havana, Ambassador @MikeHammerUSAas he travels around the island in furtherance of his diplomatic duties. I want those people to understand that we know who they are, and will… https://t.co/E7kyvlRauB
— Christopher Landau (@DeputySecState) February 12, 2026
The warning from the US official comes days after harassment actions against Hammer were reported in different locations in the country. At the beginning of this month, the regime orchestrated acts of repudiation in Camagüey and Trinidad against the American diplomat. Groups of people waited for him outside his accommodation and shouted slogans and insults at him while he carried out official duties.
Already in June 2025, Hammer had denounced a “possible act of repudiation” in Varadero during a visit in which, as he declared at the time, he sought to “continue meeting ordinary Cubans.”
Just this Wednesday, transcended that the United States Department of State would be preparing a tightening of immigration restrictions against Cuban citizens identified as participating in acts of repudiation and other demonstrations organized against US diplomats.
The measures that would be “under evaluation” contemplate “permanent inadmissibility” to enter the United States, the cancellation of current visas – if they exist – and the revocation of ongoing immigration processes, according to sources cited by Martí News on condition of anonymity.
The text adds that the US authorities would be “visually documenting” those who participate in these demonstrations as part of the verification mechanisms.
In parallel, the Cuban Repressors project, promoted by the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba (FDHC), incorporated into its database political leaders from Camagüey linked to the organization of recent acts of repudiation against Hammer.
Among those included are Roberto Conde Silveriosecond secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) in Camagüey; Yaymir Victoria Basultohead of the Ideological Department of the Provincial Committee of the PCC, also from Camagüey, and Yurisney Gil Monteagudofirst secretary of the Union of Young Communists (UJC) in the same province.
According to the FDHC, these officials would have participated in the “summoning, coordination and instruction” of the protesters. The organization denounced that the events would constitute a breach of international obligations of the Cuban State regarding the protection of accredited diplomatic personnel.
Before the three officials mentioned, the FDHC had already included in its list of violent repressors, for the same reason, the following: Yoel Santiesteban Lópezhead of the Organization Department of the Provincial Committee of the UJC in Camagüey; Yolanda Molina Castillosecretary of the UJC in the Camagüey municipality; Elsy Consuelo Tamayo Lópezmember of the Provincial Committee of the PCC in Camagüey; and Dayanny Frances Ferreraalso a member of the Provincial Committee of the UJC.
