Shibbir Ahmed, New York – A heated confrontation erupted between U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla during a General Assembly debate on Tuesday over the longstanding U.S. economic embargo against Cuba. Waltz was criticizing the Cuban government when members of the Cuban delegation began shouting objections and banging on their table. The dispute escalated when Rodríguez Parrilla approached the podium and challenged the U.S. ambassador’s remarks.
“This individual needs to back away from this podium,” Waltz shouted, adding that he would not be intimidated in the United States. Waltz also insisted that, as the representative of the United States, he would not allow Cuban officials to silence him or his colleagues. Rodríguez Parrilla responded by accusing the American envoy of lying and called for him to be held accountable for his remarks.
General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman attempted to restore order and temporarily suspended the meeting. The Cuban delegation was subsequently given an opportunity to raise a procedural objection before Waltz resumed and completed his address.
The confrontation took place during the annual debate on a resolution calling for an end to the U.S. embargo against Cuba. Washington has defended its policy by citing concerns about political repression and human rights in Cuba, while Havana argues that the restrictions contribute to the island’s economic hardship. The exchange underscored the continuing diplomatic tensions between the two countries as the General Assembly considered the embargo resolution.
