On Monday, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, addressed the criticisms made by Cuban representative Ernesto Soberón Guzmán regarding an event aimed at highlighting the oppressive actions and human rights violations in Cuba.
“If you’re upset that we’re amplifying Cuban voices to discuss these issues, perhaps you should stop engaging in them. Then we wouldn't need to discuss them,” Waltz remarked in a video shared on his official X account.
The American diplomat noted that Soberón appeared “quite annoyed” by the event titled "Cuba Libre: The Oppression that Havana Hides," which was hosted by the U.S. mission at the UN headquarters in New York.
The gathering included former Cuban political prisoners, human rights advocates, and experts on corruption and forced labor, with particular focus on the conditions faced by medical missions sent abroad by the Cuban regime.
Highlighting Disparities in Cuba
Waltz also questioned the privileges enjoyed by Cuban leaders amidst the hardships faced by the general population.
He pointed out the irony of millions of Cubans enduring fuel shortages and power outages while, according to him, members of the ruling elite have access to private jets, a private island, and luxurious residences with reliable electricity.
“The Cuban regime tries to shift blame for its failures, but the truth is evident: corruption, human rights abuses, and repression are the real roots of Cuba's issues,” wrote the ambassador.
U.S. Mission's Objective and Cuban Criticism
The U.S. Mission to the United Nations stated that the event aimed to expose the regime's abuses and support Cubans who have faced repression.
Waltz's comments came after Soberón dismissed the gathering as a “political maneuver” and criticized Washington for using UN facilities to advance its agenda against the Cuban government.
The diplomatic clash is not new. Over the weekend, Waltz responded to Soberón's criticisms of Marco Rubio, reminding him that the Cuban regime had persecuted his own family.
International Dynamics and Human Rights Concerns
This latest confrontation occurs just over a week before the annual United Nations General Assembly vote on a resolution demanding the end of the U.S. embargo on Cuba, scheduled for October 27 and 28.
The U.S. has been increasing its efforts to reduce international support for this resolution, while Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla accuses Secretary of State Marco Rubio of using “pressure” and “blackmail” on other governments.
In 2025, the resolution received 165 affirmative votes, down from 187 in 2024, with seven countries opposing it and 12 abstaining.
The ongoing human rights debate is further fueled by fresh allegations concerning the situation of political prisoners. According to the latest monthly report from Prisoners Defenders, Cuba ended September with 1,351 political prisoners, including 40 individuals who were detained as minors.
In July, Waltz had already presented the United Nations with photographs and names of Cuban political prisoners, including artists Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Maykel Castillo “Osorbo”, in a speech that sparked protests from the Cuban delegation.
Key Questions on U.S.-Cuba Relations
What was the purpose of the "Cuba Libre" event?
The event aimed to highlight the oppressive actions and human rights violations in Cuba, bringing together former political prisoners, human rights advocates, and experts on corruption and forced labor.
How did the U.S. respond to Cuba's criticism of the event?
U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz countered by suggesting that if the Cuban regime is bothered by the criticism, they should cease the activities that are being criticized.
What are some of the privileges enjoyed by Cuban leaders?
Cuban leaders reportedly enjoy access to private jets, a private island, and luxurious residences with guaranteed electricity, in contrast to the hardships faced by the general population.