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• Landau conveyed his hope that the island's citizens would have access to civil rights and mentioned his intention to continue monitoring the political situation in Cuba.

Washington DC, Jan.29 (DPnet).– In a politically charged symbolic gesture, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau delivered a message of hope to the Cuban people during the official ceremony in Havana commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence. He said Wednesday that Washington hopes Cubans will be able to "exercise their fundamental freedoms" by 2026, alluding to the possibility of regime change on the island.

The statements were made in a video message projected at the residence of the US ambassador in Havana, Mike Hammer, during the opening of activities for the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States. The diplomat chose the symbolic setting of the American Independence anniversary to reiterate that, from Washington's perspective, the Cuban people deserve the same freedom celebrated that day.

The diplomat quoted President Donald Trump and asserted that “the Castro-communist regime is faltering; it won’t last much longer. After 67 years of a failed revolution that has betrayed the Cuban people, it’s time for the change the people on the island yearn for.”

The United States ambassador to Cuba, Mike Hammer, began his speech at the reception by denouncing the fact that "multiple Cuban guests" were unable to attend the event due to interventions by security forces who prevented them from entering the premises. Cuban non-governmental organizations and dissidents reported a series of police actions aimed at stopping at least ten opposition members and independent journalists from attending the meeting. Some of them were arrested, while others were intercepted and sent back to their homes.

Among those affected were figures such as Manuel Cuesta Morúa, president of the Council for Democratic Transition in Cuba (CTDC); Berta Soler, leader of the Ladies in White; Yoani Sánchez, director of the independent media outlet 14yMedio; and Dagoberto Valdés, director of the Center for Coexistence Studies.

Several activists and opposition members reported an increase in repressive pressure on the island.