{"id":77096,"date":"2026-04-10T06:42:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T06:42:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/?p=77096"},"modified":"2026-04-10T06:42:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T06:42:22","slug":"u-s-diplomat-in-cuba-meets-with-bishops-opposition-figures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/u-s-diplomat-in-cuba-meets-with-bishops-opposition-figures\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S. diplomat in Cuba meets with bishops, opposition figures"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Mike Hammer, charg\u00e9 d\u2019affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Cuba, is conducting visits throughout the island, during which he has met with bishops, opposition figures, and local residents.<\/p>\n<p>The American diplomat has been documenting these visits and meetings on the U.S. Embassy in Cuba\u2019s X account.<\/p>\n<p>The first meeting publicized was the one he held with the president of the Cuban Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Arturo Gonz\u00e1lez Amador, and Cardinal Juan de la Caridad Garc\u00eda, archbishop of Havana.<\/p>\n<p>The diplomat reported on Jan. 30 that the meeting was to \u201creview the distribution of humanitarian aid that the U.S. government is sending through Caritas Cuba to those affected by Hurricane Melissa in eastern Cuba.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/i\/web\/status\/2017383733184073833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2017383733184073833%7Ctwgr%5E744c0403883a6b2d091e9f8d7441a724621d0429%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&#038;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aciprensa.com%2Fnoticias%2F121845%2Frepresentante-de-estados-unidos-en-cuba-tiene-encuentros-con-obispos-y-opositores\">Tweet<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf everything goes well and the aid is reaching those most in need, the Trump administration is ready to send more assistance given the great needs of the average Cuban citizen,\u201d the embassy stated.<\/p>\n<p>On Feb. 1, Hammer posted a video on X showing him with Father Jos\u00e9 Conrado in the municipality of Trinidad. Conrado is known for denouncing injustices in Cuba for many years. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI had the pleasure of meeting Father Conrado again in Trinidad,\u201d Hammer wrote on X. \u201cHe inspires me every time I talk to him. And when I left the parish, a few communists, surely frustrated by how badly the revolution is going, shouted obscenities at me \u2014 but aren\u2019t they the ones who always insist on being treated with respect?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In response, the U.S. State Department\u2019s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs demanded that the \u201cillegitimate Cuban regime\u201d immediately cease \u201cits repressive acts of sending individuals to interfere with the diplomatic work of Charg\u00e9 d\u2019Affaires Hammer and the members\u201d of the embassy team.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur diplomats will continue to meet with the Cuban people, despite the regime\u2019s failed intimidation tactics,\u201d the U.S. government office stated.<\/p>\n<p>The U.S. embassy noted on X that Hammer is meeting with \u201cordinary Cubans\u201d who \u201ccontacted us by email.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you would like us to visit you, send us your phone number and we will contact you when we are in your province,\u201d the diplomatic mission in Havana said.<\/p>\n<p>The representative also visited the provinces of Ciego de \u00c1vila and Camag\u00fcey. In the latter, he met with Archbishop Wilfredo Pino. Although he did not disclose the content of the conversation, Hammer noted on Feb. 2 that, \u201clike the U.S., the Church has an important role in supporting ordinary Cubans.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/i\/web\/status\/2018395021204930604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2018395021204930604%7Ctwgr%5E744c0403883a6b2d091e9f8d7441a724621d0429%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&#038;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aciprensa.com%2Fnoticias%2F121845%2Frepresentante-de-estados-unidos-en-cuba-tiene-encuentros-con-obispos-y-opositores\">Tweet<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe acts of repudiation organized by the regime will not prevent us from continuing to meet with Cubans concerned about the crisis facing the country,\u201d the embassy stated on X.<\/p>\n<p>On Feb. 4, Hammer reported on his meeting with the bishop of Holgu\u00edn, Emilio Aranguren, to whom he presented a miniature \u201creplica of our \u2018Liberty Bell\u2019\u201d to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States.<\/p>\n<p>During his visits, the diplomat also visited the homes of several citizens, including opposition figure Iv\u00e1n Hern\u00e1ndez Carrillo and the family of F\u00e9lix and Sayli Navarro, who were imprisoned because of the mass protests of July 2021. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe continue to insist that they and all political prisoners be released,\u201d the U.S. Embassy stated.<\/p>\n<p><em>Dit verhaal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aciprensa.com\/noticias\/121845\/representante-de-estados-unidos-en-cuba-tiene-encuentros-con-obispos-y-opositores\">werd voor het eerst gepubliceerd<\/a> door ACI Prensa, de Spaanstalige zusterdienst van EWTN News. Het is vertaald en bewerkt door EWTN News English.<\/em><\/p>\n<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ewtnnews.com\/world\/americas\/usa-diplomat-in-cuba-meets-with-bishops-and-opposition-figures\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.ewtnnews.com\/world\/americas\/usa-diplomat-in-cuba-meets-with-bishops-and-opposition-figures<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mike Hammer, charg\u00e9 d\u2019affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Cuba, is conducting visits throughout the island, during which he has met with bishops, opposition figures, and local residents. The American diplomat has been documenting these visits and meetings on the U.S. Embassy in Cuba\u2019s X account. The first meeting publicized was the one he held [\u2026]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false},"categories":[100],"tags":[],"series":[],"class_list":["post-77096","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-christian-news"],"mb":[],"acf":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":77100,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/u-s-to-send-second-shipment-of-humanitarian-aid-to-cuba-to-be-distributed-by-the-church\/","url_meta":{"origin":77096,"position":0},"title":"U.S. to send second shipment of humanitarian aid to Cuba to be distributed by the Church","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"april 10, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The U.S. government announced that it will send a new shipment of humanitarian aid to Cuba worth $6 million, which will be delivered directly to the population through the Catholic Church.On its website, the U.S. State Department informed on Feb. 5 that the decision was made \u201cfollowing the success of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Christian News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Christian News","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/category\/christian-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":77187,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/cubas-bishops-headed-to-vatican-this-month-to-meet-with-pope-leo-xiv\/","url_meta":{"origin":77096,"position":1},"title":"Cuba\u2019s bishops headed to Vatican this month to meet with Pope Leo XIV","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"april 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Cuba\u2019s bishops are scheduled to travel to Rome later this month to meet with Vatican dicasteries and present Pope Leo XIV with a report on the state of the dioceses on the island.In a message that will be read at Masses this weekend, the bishops will announce that they have\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Christian News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Christian News","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/category\/christian-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":79617,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/cuban-exiles-sign-freedom-accord-for-cuba\/","url_meta":{"origin":77096,"position":2},"title":"Cuban exiles sign freedom accord for Cuba","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"maart 9, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Cuban exiles in Miami, led by Rosa Mar\u00eda Pay\u00e1, founder of \u201cCuba Decides\u201d and daughter of the late opposition leader Oswaldo Pay\u00e1, signed on March 2 what they call an \u201cAccord for Liberation\u201d of Cuba, a 10-step roadmap to restore \u201cdemocracy and the rule of law\u201d on the island.Oswaldo Pay\u00e1\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Christian News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Christian News","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/category\/christian-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":51848,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/cubas-bishops-urge-fellow-citizens-to-not-be-afraid-of-embarking-on-new-paths\/","url_meta":{"origin":77096,"position":3},"title":"Cuba\u2019s bishops urge fellow citizens to not be afraid of &#039;embarking on new paths\u2019","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"juni 18, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Cuba\u2019s Capitol in Havana. \/ Credit: Nigel Pacquette, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons ACI Prensa Staff, Jun 17, 2025 \/ 17:26 pm (CNA). On the occasion of the Jubilee Year of Hope, the bishops of Cuba have published a message denouncing the terrible conditions that prevail on the island,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Christian News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Christian News","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/category\/christian-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Cuba\u2019s bishops urge fellow citizens to not be afraid of &#039;embarking on new paths\u2019","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Cubas-bishops-urge-fellow-citizens-to-not-be-afraid-of-039embarking-on-new-paths.webp?fit=800%2C534&quality=75&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Cubas-bishops-urge-fellow-citizens-to-not-be-afraid-of-039embarking-on-new-paths.webp?fit=800%2C534&quality=75&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, 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uncertainty.\u201dThe bishops had been scheduled to meet Pope Leo XIV on Feb. 20 as part of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Christian News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Christian News","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/category\/christian-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":79515,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/trumps-ambassador-to-the-vatican-defends-deportation-policies-criticized-by-pope-u-s-bishops\/","url_meta":{"origin":77096,"position":5},"title":"Trump\u2019s ambassador to the Vatican defends deportation policies criticized by pope, U.S. bishops","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"maart 13, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"ROME \u2014 United States Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch has defended President Donald Trump\u2019s deportation policies amid criticism from Pope Leo XIV and the U.S. bishops.\u201cThe larger question of immigration is something that will constantly be a source of debate and conversation between the U.S. and the Holy\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Christian News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Christian News","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/category\/christian-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Trump\u2019s ambassador to the Vatican defends deportation policies criticized by pope, U.S. bishops","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Trumps-ambassador-to-the-Vatican-defends-deportation-policies-criticized-by-pope-U.S.-bishops.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&quality=80&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Trumps-ambassador-to-the-Vatican-defends-deportation-policies-criticized-by-pope-U.S.-bishops.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&quality=80&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, 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