'This is America, not your communist dictatorship': US, Cuban envoys clash at UN

‘This is not your communist dictatorship’: US, Cuban envoys clash at UN

A heated exchange broke out at the United Nations General Assembly after US Ambassador Mike Waltz told Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla to “back up” when the Cuban diplomat approached the podium while Waltz was speaking.The confrontation took place during the General Assembly’s annual debate on the decades-old US embargo on Cuba, ahead of a vote on a resolution calling for an end to the restrictions.“Do you understand who you're dealing with? This is America!” Waltz said during the exchange, accusing the Cuban government of enriching its leaders while its people faced hardship.

As the Cuban delegation sought to interrupt his remarks, Waltz said, “I know you don't like to hear this,” before adding, “This is America, my friend.

This is the United Nations. This isn't your communist dictatorship. You cannot silence me.”Rodríguez continued towards the podium as the president of the General Assembly attempted to restore order, reminding delegates that the Cuban delegation would have an opportunity to respond.“This individual needs to back away from this podium,” Waltz said. “He's not going to intimidate me in the United States of America.”

“I'm the representative of the United States of America. Back up! Back up, Ambassador. Back away! This isn't Havana.”Waltz urged UN member states to reject the resolution seeking to end the US embargo. He blamed corruption and repression within Cuba for the hardships faced by its people and accused the country’s communist government of enriching itself.After Cuba was given the floor, Rodríguez accused Waltz of making false claims and asked the General Assembly president to call him to order.“Mr. Waltz is lying yet again,” he said, arguing that the US ambassador’s remarks were “beneath the dignity of this forum and member states” and were insulting to Cuba’s government and people.In a subsequent post on X, Waltz accused Cuba’s “Communist leaders” of concealing their luxury real estate holdings, adding that he was presenting evidence that the delegation did not want discussed.The confrontation came amid renewed debate over Washington’s decades-old economic embargo on Cuba, which has remained a point of contention between the two countries.