Latest news with #Hammer
India.com
13 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
US' biggest enemy openly rebukes Trump diplomat for...; not China, Iran, Russia, the country is...
Donald Trump (File) US-Cuba relations: has accused the United States mission of fomenting internal discord in the island nation, and issued a verbal warning to Mike Hammer, the top US diplomat in Havana. In a statement on Friday, the Cuban Foreign Ministry said it has issued a verbal warning to Hammer, accusing the US Chief of Mission of 'interventionist' behavior, Reuters reported. Cuba slams US diplomat for 'interventionist' behavior Cuba alleged that Mike Hammer had incited 'Cuban citizens to commit serious criminal acts, attack the constitutional order, or encourage them to act against the authorities', and claimed that his actions violated the Vienna Convention norms on diplomatic relations, the report said. 'The immunity he (Hammer) 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,' Cuba's statement said. The latest escalation is being view as part of rising tensions between US and Cuba– long time foes since the Cold War era– under the Donald Trump administration. Cuba, which was close ties to the erstwhile Soviet Union, is still considered close to Russia, the US' arch nemesis. Why Cuba chastised Trump diplomat? Cuba's scathing chastisement of Mike Hammer comes after the US diplomat, who arrived in the Caribbean nation six months ago, started meeting political dissident across the Island, drawing the ire of the Cuban government, which has accused him of seeking to foment unrest in the country. Since his arrival, Cuba has criticized Hammer on multiple occasions, but has not restricted his travels across the island. The Cuban foreign ministry's statement comes days after Hammer told a presser in Miami that Trump administration was preparing further sanctions against Cuba. US' response to Cuba's statement Meanwhile, the US statement has defended the actions of its top diplomat in Cuba, saying 'Chief of Mission Mike Hammer and the U.S. Embassy proudly represent President Trump by implementing an America First foreign policy and seeking accountability for the Cuban regime for its malign influence across the Americas.' 'We will continue to meet with Cuban patriots, religious leaders, and those fighting for the freedoms of Cubans,' a State Department official said, according to Reuters. The rising US-Cuba tensions come at a time when the country is facing its worst economic crisis in decades, a predicament Cuba blames on the Cold War-era US embargo, which restricted financial transactions, trade, tourism and fuel imports into the island nation.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
‘Unfriendly and meddling': Cuba reprimands US diplomat amid rising tensions
Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement of protest against the head of the United States mission to the island, Michael Hammer. In a news release published on Friday, the Foreign Ministry accused Hammer, a career diplomat, of 'unfriendly and meddling behaviour' since his arrival in Cuba in late 2024. 'By inciting Cuban citizens to commit extremely serious criminal acts, attacking the constitutional order, or encouraging them to act against the authorities or demonstrate in support of the interests and objectives of a hostile foreign power, the diplomat is engaging in provocative and irresponsible conduct,' the Foreign Ministry wrote. '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 assigned, in this case, Cuba.' The Foreign Ministry said the message was delivered by its director of bilateral affairs with the US, Alejandro Garcia del Toro. Friday's statement is the latest indication of increasingly rocky relations between Cuba and the US, particularly since President Donald Trump began his second term in January. Diplomatic ties between the two countries, however, have been icy for decades, stretching back to the Cold War in the 1960s. After the Cuban Revolution of 1959, the US government imposed strict trade restrictions on the island and backed efforts to topple the newly established Communist government. But there have been efforts to ease the tensions, notably during the administrations of Democratic presidents like Barack Obama and Joe Biden in the US. In 2016, for instance, Obama sought to normalise relations with Cuba, only to see those efforts rolled back during the first Trump administration, starting in 2017. Likewise, President Biden – who formerly served as Obama's vice president – removed Cuba from the US's list of 'state sponsors of terrorism' in the waning days of his term in January. But upon taking office for his second time on January 20, Trump reversed course once more, putting Cuba back on the list that very same day. Trump also included in his presidential cabinet several officials who have taken a hardline stance towards Cuba, most notably former Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Born to Cuban immigrants, Rubio is an outspoken supporter of continuing the trade embargo against the island. The Cuban government, meanwhile, has continued to accuse the US of attempting to destabilise its leadership. In Friday's statement, the Cuban Foreign Ministry accused Hammer of 'public and insulting manipulation' for his recent visit to the tomb of a 19th-century national hero, Jose Marti. The US Embassy to Cuba posted a video of the visit with a voiceover of Marti's words, 'Respect for the freedom and thoughts of others, even of the most unhappy kind, is my passion: If I die or am killed, it will be for that.' Critics have interpreted that citation as an implied endorsement of dissent on the island. In recent months, there have also been signs that Trump plans to once again tighten the screws on the Cuban government, in a return to the 'maximum pressure' campaigns that typified foreign policy during his first term. In February, for instance, the Trump administration announced it would yank visas from anyone who works with Cuba's medical system, which sends thousands of healthcare workers abroad each year, particularly in the Caribbean region. Critics have criticised the healthcare programme for its low pay and hefty restrictions on its employees. Trump and Rubio, meanwhile, have claimed the medical system amounts to a form of 'forced labour' that enriches the Cuban government. But leaders in Havana have denied that allegation. Then, in April, the US government condemned Cuba for re-arresting a group of dissidents, among them prominent figures like Jose Daniel Ferrer and Felix Navarro. Cuba had initially agreed to release Ferrer and Navarro as part of a bargain brokered by the Vatican earlier this year. Cuba was expected to release 553 prisoners, many of whom were swept up in antigovernment protests, and in exchange, the US was supposed to ease its sanctions against the island. The sanctions relief, however, never came. An additional measure was taken against Cuba just this month. The Department of State, under Rubio's direction, determined that 'Cuba did not fully cooperate with US counterterrorism efforts in 2024'. It accused Cuba of harbouring 11 fugitives, some of whom faced terrorism-related charges in the US. 'The Cuban regime made clear it was not willing to discuss their return to face justice in our nation,' the State Department wrote in a news release. 'The United States will continue to promote international cooperation on counterterrorism issues. We also continue to promote accountability for countries that do not stand against terrorism.' As punishment, Cuba was labelled as a 'not fully cooperating country' under the Arms Export Control Act, a designation that limits its ability to buy weaponry and other defence tools from the US. Furthermore, Hammer had recently signalled that new sanctions were on the way for the island. But in the face of Friday's reprimand, the State Department indicated it was undeterred and would continue to support dissidents against Cuba's 'malign influence'.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cuba issues verbal warning to top US diplomat in Havana for 'disrespectful conduct'
By Dave Sherwood HAVANA (Reuters) -Cuba`s foreign ministry said on Friday it had issued a verbal warning to the top U.S. diplomat in Havana complaining of behavior it called "intervenionist," the latest escalation as tensions grow between the two long-time foes. Cuba said U.S. Chief of Mission Mike Hammer had incited "Cuban citizens to commit serious criminal acts, attack the constitutional order, or encourage them to act against the authorities," calling his actions a violation of the Vienna Convention norms on diplomatic relations. "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 statement said. Hammer, a career U.S. diplomat who arrived in Cuba six months ago, has traveled the island widely to meet with political dissidents, raising the ire of the Cuban government, which accuses him of seeking to foment unrest. The U.S. State Department defended Hammer`s actions. "Chief of Mission Mike Hammer and the U.S. Embassy proudly represent President Trump by implementing an America First foreign policy and seeking accountability for the Cuban regime for its malign influence across the Americas," a State Department official said. "We will continue to meet with Cuban patriots, religious leaders, and those fighting for the freedoms of Cubans," the official said. The growing tensions come as Cubans confront the worst economic downturn in decades, a predicament the Cuban government blames on the Cold War-era U.S. embargo, a web of restrictions that impede financial transactions, trade, tourism and the import of fuel. Cuba`s decision to formally chastise Hammer comes just days the U.S. diplomat said in a press conference in Miami that the Trump administration was preparing further sanctions against the communist-run nation. Cuba has repeatedly criticized Hammer over months but has not impeded his travels across the island.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Cuba issues verbal warning to top US diplomat in Havana for 'disrespectful conduct'
Cars pass by Cuban and U.S. flags beside the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba, May 13, 2024. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini/File Photo HAVANA - Cuba`s foreign ministry said on Friday it had issued a verbal warning to the top U.S. diplomat in Havana complaining of behavior it called "intervenionist," the latest escalation as tensions grow between the two long-time foes. Cuba said U.S. Chief of Mission Mike Hammer had incited "Cuban citizens to commit serious criminal acts, attack the constitutional order, or encourage them to act against the authorities," calling his actions a violation of the Vienna Convention norms on diplomatic relations. "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 statement said. Hammer, a career U.S. diplomat who arrived in Cuba six months ago, has traveled the island widely to meet with political dissidents, raising the ire of the Cuban government, which accuses him of seeking to foment unrest. The U.S. State Department defended Hammer`s actions. "Chief of Mission Mike Hammer and the U.S. Embassy proudly represent President Trump by implementing an America First foreign policy and seeking accountability for the Cuban regime for its malign influence across the Americas," a State Department official said. "We will continue to meet with Cuban patriots, religious leaders, and those fighting for the freedoms of Cubans," the official said. The growing tensions come as Cubans confront the worst economic downturn in decades, a predicament the Cuban government blames on the Cold War-era U.S. embargo, a web of restrictions that impede financial transactions, trade, tourism and the import of fuel. Cuba`s decision to formally chastise Hammer comes just days the U.S. diplomat said in a press conference in Miami that the Trump administration was preparing further sanctions against the communist-run nation. Cuba has repeatedly criticized Hammer over months but has not impeded his travels across the island. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Operation Sindoor: Scalp missiles, Hammer bombs key to India's strike
In an escalation of cross-border tensions, India launched a coordinated May 7 midnight assault on nine terror camps inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), marking one of the most expansive retaliatory strikes in recent memory. Codenamed 'Operation Sindoor,' the high-precision offensive was carried out by all three branches of the armed forces in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists, signalling a new phase in India's counter-terror doctrine. Carried out with precision and stealth, the operation saw India's Rafale fighter jets unleashing Scalp missiles and Hammer bombs — some of the most advanced air-to-ground weapons in the Indian Air Force's arsenal — under the cloak of darkness. According to government sources, more than 90 terrorists are believed to have been killed in the overnight operation. The strikes were aimed at dismantling the infrastructure of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, the two groups long accused of orchestrating cross-border terrorism. Pakistan has labelled the move an 'act of war.' What is the Scalp missile and how does it work? The Scalp missile, also known as Storm Shadow, is a European air-launched cruise missile developed by MBDA. Weighing 1,300 kg, it is designed for deep-strike precision attacks on high-value, stationary targets — like fortified terror bunkers and key command infrastructure. With a strike range of 300 km, the Scalp missile owes its pinpoint accuracy to a sophisticated navigation system that combines inertial navigation, GPS, and terrain mapping. It is produced by MBDA, a European defence consortium. The Scalp missile is regarded as highly effective for destroying hardened bunkers and ammunition depots. Notably, Ukraine used the same missile last year to strike targets deep inside Russian territory for the first time. As it nears the target, the missile's onboard infrared seeker matches the pre-fed target image, enabling precise strikes while minimising collateral damage. Its low-altitude flight path after launch also makes it difficult to detect. ALSO READ | Bomb threat at Mumbai airport after Indian airstrikes on Pak terror camps What makes the Hammer bomb a game-changer for India? India's air campaign was also powered by the Hammer (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) bomb, a modular air-to-ground precision weapon, often referred to as a glide bomb. With a range of up to 70 km, it can be integrated with standard bomb payloads. Developed by French defence firm Safran, the Hammer is resistant to electronic jamming and can be launched from low altitudes over challenging terrain. Its ability to evade interception and breach fortified targets makes it a highly effective strike weapon. What sets Hammer bombs apart is their adaptability. The kits can be attached to bombs ranging from 125 kg to 1,000 kg, and their 70 km strike range means Indian jets can stay clear of enemy radar and missile systems. Designed for both stationary and moving targets, these bombs are ideal for neutralising terror launchpads and command posts. ALSO READ | 'Proud of our armed forces': Opposition leaders hail Operation Sindoor How Operation Sindoor compares with previous India strikes While India has launched retaliatory operations in the past — notably the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrike — 'Operation Sindoor' is among the most expansive, involving joint precision strikes by the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
