US and Cuban UN envoys clash in heated New York confrontation

US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz addressed the General Assembly on Tuesday ahead of a vote on the long-standing American economic embargo against Cuba. He urged member states to reject a resolution condemning the sanctions.

Waltz accused Cuba’s socialist government of years of corruption and misconduct. He pointed to what he called the Cuban leadership’s collection of luxury watches, real estate, and yachts, as well as relatives’ holidays in Europe, while claiming ordinary Cubans were starving.

“You understand who you’re dealing with? This is America. Back up.”

The Cuban delegation, led by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, responded by banging on their tables and demanding a point of order. Rodriguez interrupted Waltz’s speech and requested urgent intervention.

Rodriguez then walked toward the front of the assembly and directly confronted Waltz, shouting that he was a liar. He accused the American envoy of lying in a rude and arrogant manner and violating the dignity of the General Assembly.

Waltz responded by warning Rodriguez to back away from the podium. He shouted that he was the representative of the United States of America and demanded that Rodriguez back up, adding that he would not allow himself to be intimidated on US territory.

UN officials attempted to restore calm during the exchange. The confrontation illustrated how personal diplomatic disagreements between Washington and Havana have become under Donald Trump.

The two countries have clashed for decades over Washington’s economic sanctions, with Havana accusing the United States of strangling its economy and successive US administrations criticizing Cuba’s political system.