Cuba denounces "disrespectful and unfriendly" behavior of U.S. Chargé d'Affaires

The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the US Chargé d'Affaires, Mike Hammer and issued the following statement denouncing his "meddling and unfriendly behavior" (translated from the Spanish):

On Friday, May 30, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to draw his attention, once again, to the meddling and unfriendly behavior he has displayed since arriving in Cuba, which is unbecoming of a diplomat and disrespectful to the Cuban people.

Alejandro García del Toro, Director of Bilateral Affairs for the U.S. Directorate General, delivered a Note Verbale of Protest to the diplomat, expressing his firm rejection of his behavior, which violates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and contradicts the Agreement on the Restoration of Diplomatic Relations signed between the two governments.

García del Toro emphasized, as outlined in the Note Verbale delivered, that by inciting Cuban citizens to commit extremely serious criminal acts, attacking the constitutional order, or encouraging them to act against the authorities, or by demonstrating in support of the interests and objectives of a hostile foreign power, the diplomat is engaging in provocative and irresponsible conduct. He added that the immunity he enjoys as a representative of his country cannot be used as cover for acts contrary to the sovereignty and internal order of the country to which he is accredited, in this case Cuba.

The Ministry's Note Verbale also rejected the Chargé d'Affaires' public and insulting manipulation of the National Hero José Martí. This showed the American diplomat that he is unaware that independence and anti-imperialism, as pillars of the Cuban nation, are based on José Martí's conviction and warning regarding the danger posed to Cuba by the United States' desire for domination.

The Director took advantage of the meeting to give the diplomat copies of fragments of José Martí's unfinished letter to his Mexican friend Manuel Mercado.