US Diplomat Attends Havana Mass Honoring Exiled Salsa Icon Celia Cruz

Celia Cruz, the iconic Cuban salsa singer and staunch anti-communist, was honored with a Catholic Mass in Havana to mark the centenary of her birth, despite her music and likeness being banned in Cuba due to her exile and opposition to the communist regime. The Mass, held at Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre church, drew hundreds of attendees including Cuban musicians and the top U.S. diplomat in Cuba, Mike Hammer, who praised Cruz's legacy of hope and freedom. This religious tribute occurred shortly after the Cuban government abruptly canceled a planned artistic homage to Cruz, sparking accusations of censorship. Cruz, who left Cuba after Castro's rise to power, became a symbol of cultural pride and freedom worldwide, winning multiple Grammy awards and a Congressional Gold Medal in the U.S. The subdued yet emotional ceremony reflected the complex political backdrop, as the Cuban Communist Party allowed the Mass despite ongoing restrictions on Cruz's music in the country. The event highlighted Cruz's enduring influence and the shared desire for liberty among Cubans and the international community.