The United States accused Cuba of interfering with the work of its top diplomat in Havana on Sunday (1 February) after small groups of Cubans jeered at him during meetings with residents and church representatives.
Amid rising tensions between the two countries, the U.S. State Department accused the Cuban government on social media of using “failed intimidation tactics.”
It also demanded that Havana stop “sending individuals to interfere with the diplomatic work” of U.S. Charge d’Affaires Mike Hammer.
Friction has intensified after U.S. President Donald Trump last week declared Cuba “an unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security and warned of tariffs on any country supplying oil to the communist-run island.
Speaking aboard Air Force One on Saturday (31 January), Trump described Cuba as “a failing nation” but said he believed the two sides could reach an agreement.
“I think we’re going to make a deal with Cuba,” he told reporters.
On Saturday (31 January), Hammer posted a video describing alleged harassment after leaving a meeting with local church leaders.
“When I left the parish, a few communists, surely frustrated by how bad the revolution is going, shouted obscenities at me,” he said.
Subsequent videos showed small groups during nighttime blackouts taunting Hammer with shouts of “Assassin!” and “Imperialist!”
Trump has also warned that the U.S. could impose tariffs on countries continuing to supply Cuba with oil, part of a broader campaign to tighten economic pressure on the island.
Reuters has reported that Mexico, now Cuba’s top oil supplier after Venezuelan deliveries fell sharply, is reviewing whether to continue shipments amid concerns over U.S. retaliation.
Cuba is facing worsening fuel shortages, frequent power outages and a deepening economic crisis, drawing renewed international attention to the humanitarian impact of U.S. sanctions and regional energy disruptions.
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Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 3rd of September, covering the latest developments.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he thinks there is a chance of a peace being reached with Ukraine. He told the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia that he believed there was "a chance of finding a solution," to the conflict.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has rejected claims that Moroccan authorities orchestrated July’s deadly mass border crossing into Ceuta, saying Spain has found no evidence that Rabat planned or carried out the incident.
Denmark’s Security and Intelligence Service, PET, has warned that Russia is actively preparing sabotage operations against targets in the country, with defence companies supporting Ukraine seen as a particular focus.
Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to raise bilateral trade to $200 million within two years, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concluded a three-day visit to Kyrgyzstan.
The latest escalation between the United States and Iran is being fought not only on the ground and at sea, but increasingly in the skies above the Gulf where a missile launch or intercepted drone can force an aircraft thousands of metres above the region to change course.
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