The White House issued a strong statement on Tuesday following an incident where members of the Cuban delegation approached U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, at the annual debate on the embargo against Cuba. The official presidential account on X declared, "Not in the United States of America," alongside an image of the confrontation, tagging Waltz directly.
The altercation unfolded as Ambassador Waltz presented evidence of the Cuban elite's corruption and extravagance to the global delegates: Fidel Castro's $40,000 Rolex watches, a 14,000-square-meter beach residence in Varadero owned by the Castro family, their private island Cayo Piedra, and a 50-meter yacht cruising the Mediterranean.
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla and Cuban delegation members left their seats to approach the stage, prompting General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman to temporarily halt the session, instructing, "Please return to your seat."
Waltz stood his ground. "This person needs to back away from the podium. You will not intimidate me or the United States of America, as you attempt to intimidate political prisoners. I am the representative of the United States of America," he asserted loudly to the assembly.
The ambassador went further, directly addressing the Cuban foreign minister: "Mr. Minister, here's how this will go: every time you interrupt, I will continue to detail how corrupt this regime is, and I'll do it more slowly."
Rodríguez countered, calling Waltz a "liar" and sarcastically quipping, "Mr. Waltz, you lie again. I wish you better luck in your future political endeavors."
The confrontation extended beyond the podium. A video shared by the U.S. mission showed a Cuban delegate trying to seize the phone from J.P. Freire, Waltz's spokesperson, who was recording the incident. The delegate protested, "You're invading my personal space. This is not allowed."
Later, Waltz released another video on X, expanding on his allegations: "This occurs in a room of a free country, with cameras, ambassadors, and diplomats. Imagine what happens under the iron fist of this regime when nobody is watching. We recently freed political prisoners here, and this group of so-called diplomats attempted to intimidate them, film them, harass them. If it happens here, imagine what goes on there."
Tuesday's episode is not an isolated one. In mid-October, Cuban diplomats staged a protest in UN corridors against former political prisoners José Daniel Ferrer and Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, shouting "terrorists" and "get out of the UN" at them while recording. In July, Rodríguez had previously attempted to silence U.S. representative Jeffrey Bartos with two procedural motions, both dismissed.
Waltz concluded his address to the Assembly with a direct appeal to member countries: "Colleagues, these bullies are asking for your vote. Do not grant Havana another propaganda victory. Do not vote for the mistreatment of the Cuban people."
The final vote on the 34th edition of Cuba's resolution against the embargo was scheduled for Wednesday, amid a backdrop of waning international support for Havana, which has dropped from 187 votes in 2024 to 136 in the July 2026 extraordinary session, the lowest level in over a decade.
Key Questions on the US and Cuban UN Incident
What prompted the Cuban delegation to approach the podium?
The Cuban delegation approached the podium in response to Ambassador Mike Waltz presenting evidence of corruption and luxury within the Cuban elite during the UN debate.
How did Ambassador Waltz respond to the Cuban delegation's actions?
Ambassador Waltz defiantly stated that he would not be intimidated, asserting that he represents the United States and will continue exposing the Cuban regime's corruption.
How has international support for Cuba changed in recent years?
International support for Cuba has declined, with votes in favor of their resolution dropping from 187 in 2024 to 136 in the 2026 session.