Washington scolds Cuba after crowds heckle US diplomat

The United States accused Cuba of interfering with the work of its top diplomat in Havana after small groups of Cubans jeered at him during meetings with residents and church representatives outside the capital.



Amid rising tensions between the two countries, the US State Department on social media accused the Cuban government of "failed intimidation tactics," and it demanded that Havana stop "sending ⁠individuals to interfere with the diplomatic work" of U.S. Charge d'Affaires Mike Hammer.



Friction has increased between the long-time foes after U.S. President Donald Trump last week declared Cuba "an unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S. national security and said he would slap tariffs on any country that delivered oil to the communist-run Caribbean island.



Trump on Sunday said Cuba was "a failing nation" but added: "I think we're going to make a deal with Cuba."



Hammer, a career diplomat who arrived in Cuba in late 2024, has traveled the island widely to meet with political dissidents, Catholic Church representatives and others.



The Cuban government accuses him of seeking to foment unrest.



On Saturday, he posted a video describing ⁠alleged harassment following a meeting with local church leaders.