A shouting match between U.S. and Cuban officials erupted on the floor of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, as American Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez exchanged heated remarks during a debate over the decades-long U.S. economic embargo on Cuba.
Key developments:
- Rodríguez interrupted Waltz’s speech by yelling, “You are a liar!”, before approaching the podium.
- Waltz responded by telling Rodríguez to “back up”, invoking the U.S. as a sovereign nation and rejecting the Cuban diplomat’s proximity.
The confrontation occurred as Waltz argued against a U.N. resolution condemning the U.S. embargo, which is scheduled for a vote this week. Waltz accused the Cuban government of corruption and repression, while Rodríguez accused Waltz of spreading falsehoods.
Diplomatic breakdown
The exchange marked a sharp departure from traditional U.N. decorum, with U.N. officials intervening to restore order. Rodríguez walked down the aisle toward Waltz’s podium, shouting accusations of dishonesty, while Waltz countered by asserting U.S. authority and rejecting Cuban interference.
Context of the dispute
The altercation unfolded amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, particularly under the Trump administration’s policy of tightening economic pressure on Havana. In late January, the administration announced tariffs on countries providing oil to Cuba, effectively cutting off fuel supplies and contributing to widespread power outages on the island.
Waltz framed the embargo as a response to Cuban government corruption, arguing that Havana’s leadership enriches itself while blaming Washington for domestic hardships. Rodríguez, in turn, accused Waltz of distorting facts to justify U.S. policy, calling for the U.N. to intervene and censure Waltz’s remarks.
Reactions and responses
The U.N. president attempted to restore order by granting Cuba the floor to respond formally. Rodríguez reiterated his accusation of lying during his official rebuttal, stating, “Mr. Waltz is lying yet again.” Waltz had previously accused the Cuban delegation of disrupting his speech by banging on tables and demanding points of order.
The annual U.N. resolution condemning the U.S. embargo has been a recurring point of contention, with Cuba and its allies routinely pushing for its passage. The U.S. has historically opposed the measure, arguing that the embargo is a tool to promote democratic reforms on the island.
Broader implications
The public clash highlighted the deepening rift between the two nations, with both sides leveraging the U.N. platform to air grievances. The incident also underscored the broader geopolitical stakes, including the humanitarian impact of U.S. sanctions on Cuba’s civilian population and the ideological divide over governance and economic policy.