Mike Hammer, the head of the U.S. mission at the Embassy in Cuba, took part in a pivotal meeting on Tuesday during the 2026 Chiefs of Mission Conference, held at the Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) headquarters in Doral, Florida. Joining him were Secretary of State Marco Rubio and General Francis L. Donovan, the military command leader.
The U.S. Embassy in Cuba confirmed Hammer's attendance through a brief social media statement: "Our Chief of Mission Mike Hammer participated in the Western Hemisphere Chiefs of Mission meeting at Southern Command, where Secretary Rubio and General Frank Donovan discussed U.S. priorities in our region."
This gathering, scheduled from May 5 to May 7 under the theme "Peace Through Strength," convenes diplomats from across Latin America and the Caribbean alongside senior U.S. military and government officials.
The forum's stated aim is to "advance the objectives of the National Security Strategy in the hemisphere, including collaborative efforts to combat narco-terrorism and prevent adversaries from gaining a foothold in the region."
Back in March, Hammer had a one-on-one meeting with General Donovan in Miami to specifically address the Cuban situation. Just weeks earlier, in a statement to Telemundo, Hammer had boldly predicted that "there will be a change in 2026" in Cuba, that "the dictatorship will end," and that "the Cuban revolution has failed."
The Symbolism of Cuba at SOUTHCOM
Even before the conference kicked off on Tuesday, Cuba's presence was symbolically noted: SOUTHCOM shared a photo of Rubio shaking hands with General Donovan in front of a prominent map of the island at this crucial Southern Command meeting.
Later, when questioned by a journalist in the White House press room, Rubio explained the significance of the photo with the map: "Cuba is within Southern Command, you know, it's the closest part. Our ambassadors were all over the Western Hemisphere. I met with the general who just took command of Southern Command, and there was a map of Cuba behind us, so I thought it would be fitting to take a picture in front of that map. Because it's geographically the closest to the U.S. within Southern Command."
U.S. Policy and the Cuban Regime
From the press conference podium—filling in for Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who is on maternity leave—Secretary of State Rubio delivered a stark message against the regime: "The only thing worse than a communist is an incompetent communist. And that's what we have: incompetent communists leading that country." He also warned that "things are going to change."
Rubio, who is spearheading the U.S. strategy to curb threats in the hemisphere, has held the dual roles of Secretary of State and National Security Advisor since April, a concentration of power previously held only by Henry Kissinger, according to TIME magazine.
On the same day, President Donald Trump reiterated in an interview that "it would be an honor to liberate Cuba," and again mentioned deploying the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln off Cuba's coast, a threat he continues to leverage amid escalating pressure.
Since January 2026, the administration has imposed over 240 sanctions on the regime and intercepted at least seven oil tankers.
On May 1, Trump signed a new executive order against the dictatorship, expanding restrictions on the energy, defense, mining, and finance sectors, with secondary sanctions on foreign banks dealing with sanctioned Cuban entities.
The impact on the island's populace is severe: a reduction of 80% to 90% in energy imports and power outages lasting up to 25 hours consecutively in more than 55% of Cuban territory.
In response, the regime has adopted a confrontational rhetoric. On May 2, during an international solidarity meeting in Havana attended by delegates from 36 countries, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel warned of "the imminence of a U.S. military aggression" and invoked the "War of All the People" doctrine, declaring that "every Cuban man and woman has a rifle."
Secretary of State Rubio is scheduled to visit the Vatican on May 7 to meet with Pope Leo XIV, with Cuba also on the agenda for discussion.
U.S. Strategy and the Future of Cuba
What are the main objectives of the Southern Command meeting?
The Southern Command meeting aims to advance the objectives of the National Security Strategy in the hemisphere, focusing on collaborative efforts to combat narco-terrorism and prevent adversaries from establishing a presence in the region.
How has the U.S. administration impacted Cuba since 2026?
Since 2026, the U.S. administration has implemented over 240 sanctions against the Cuban regime and intercepted several oil tankers, significantly reducing energy imports and causing widespread power outages on the island.
What did Secretary of State Rubio say about the Cuban regime?
Secretary of State Rubio criticized the Cuban regime, stating that "the only thing worse than a communist is an incompetent communist," and indicated that significant changes are forthcoming.
What actions has President Trump proposed regarding Cuba?
President Trump has mentioned the potential deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln off Cuba's coast and expressed a desire to "liberate Cuba," amidst increasing pressure on the Cuban regime.