A heated confrontation erupted at the United Nations General Assembly between US Ambassador Mike Waltz and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla. The American envoy demanded the Cuban official step back after he approached the podium and attempted to interrupt his speech. The incident unfolded during the annual debate on the US embargo against Cuba — a policy that has remained in place for decades. Waltz called on member states to vote against the resolution seeking the lifting of the restrictive measures.
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Accusations against Havana and the tension at the podium
In his address, the US Ambassador accused the Havana government of enriching its leaders at the expense of ordinary citizens. He also argued that Cuba’s leadership deflects blame onto Washington for problems that, in his view, stem from internal corruption and repression. “Well, we know. We know where the money went. And we are here today to expose that to the entire world,” he said. When the Cuban delegation attempted to interrupt him, Waltz responded sharply: “I know you don’t like hearing this. This is America, my friend. This is the United Nations. This is not your communist dictatorship. You cannot silence me.”
The Castro regime has profited at the expense of the Cuban people with luxury cars, expensive watches and a private island resort. As I shared this with the world, regime thugs rushed the stage to interrupt my speech. They can intimidate their own people in Cuba but think again about trying that nonsense in the United States of America.
— Ambassador Mike Waltz (@USAmbUN) October 27, 2026
Rodríguez Parrilla continued to advance toward the podium as the President of the General Assembly attempted to restore order, reminding delegates that each party would have the opportunity to respond. “This man must be removed from the podium,” Waltz declared, adding: “You are not going to intimidate me in the United States of America. I am the representative of the United States of America. Back up! Back up, Mr. Ambassador. Step away! This is not Havana.”
The Cuban response
When the floor was given to the Cuban delegation, the Foreign Minister accused the US Ambassador of lying and called on the General Assembly President to call him to order. “Mr. Waltz is once again telling lies,” he said, arguing that his remarks “are inconsistent with the dignity of this body and its member states.” He also described Waltz’s statements as deeply offensive to the Cuban government and people.
El gobierno de EEUU miente de forma grosera y permanente en la Asamblea General de @ONU_es. Su Representante Permanente en Naciones Unidas, con su prepotencia y soberbia, olvida que se encuentra en Naciones Unidas, no está en el Consejo de Seguridad Nacional de EEUU ni en una unidad de boinas verdes ni en un grupo de Signal, donde ha mostrado reiteradamente su incompetencia e incapacidad. El gobierno de EEUU, con sus burdas mentiras en la Asamblea General de Naciones Unidas, lanzó un nuevo intento desesperado por justificar la agresión económica contra Cuba y su criminal cerco energético. Sus declaraciones de hoy forman parte del circo mediático, de amenazas y de campaña electoral, al que el gobierno estadounidense dedica cuantiosos recursos económicos y humanos. No hay pretexto para sostener el acto de castigo colectivo al que someten al pueblo cubano. #CubaNoEsUnaAmenaza El Bloqueo Sí
— Bruno Rodríguez P (@BrunoRguezP) October 27, 2026
Waltz followed up with a video post on X, alleging that a member of the Cuban delegation had attempted to pressure UN staff into cutting off the microphones during his speech. According to the Ambassador, “one of the Cuban regime’s ‘diplomats’ tried to intimidate UN staff into cutting our microphones as I exposed the regime for the world to see.” He added: “When one of my American diplomats noticed what was happening, that same regime ‘diplomat’ tried to intimidate him, too.”
One of the Cuban regime’s “diplomats” tried to intimidate UN staff into cutting our microphones as I exposed the regime for the world to see. When one of my American diplomats noticed what was happening, that same regime “diplomat” tried to intimidate him, too. https://t.co/kmBlpMlPcY
— Ambassador Mike Waltz (@USAmbUN) October 27, 2026
