During an extraordinary session of the United Nations General Assembly, convened at the request of the Cuban regime to discuss the U.S. embargo, Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador, engaged in a heated exchange with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla. The tension peaked when Rodríguez interrupted Waltz's address for the second time with a procedural motion. Unfazed, Waltz firmly responded:
"Do whatever you want. This isn't Havana; this is the United States of America and the United Nations. We will speak, and we won't be silenced like you do with your own people."
These remarks intensified the atmosphere in the assembly hall, setting the stage for one of the most scathing criticisms of the Cuban dictatorship delivered at the UN in recent years.
Contentious Exchange and Procedural Objections
Earlier, Rodríguez had interrupted to label Waltz a "liar," claiming the UN isn't a "Green Beret camp." The Assembly President dismissed Rodríguez's objections, citing Article 71 of the rules, which prohibits using procedural motions to debate speech content, thus returning the floor to Waltz.
Resuming his speech calmly, Waltz stated, "The truth offends, and the truth is not disrespectful. I'm sorry that the Cuban delegation doesn’t want to hear this."
Highlighting Cuba's Deepening Crisis
Waltz used the opportunity to highlight the political, economic, and humanitarian crisis gripping Cuba. He pointed out that while the session took place, Cuba was experiencing a nationwide blackout—the seventh power grid collapse in just 18 months—contrasting this with the uninterrupted power supply in the Castro family's residences and government seats.
He also read aloud the names of several Cuban political prisoners, including Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, Fernando Almadévez Rivera, Miguel Castillo Pérez, Duanes León Tovero, and the brothers Jorge and Nadir Martín Perdomo.
Debunking the Embargo Narrative
Waltz challenged the official narrative surrounding the U.S. embargo. He questioned how a "total blockade" could exist when Cuba receives humanitarian aid from countries like Canada, China, Russia, Spain, the European Union, and the UN, with exports from Florida ports reaching hundreds of millions of dollars.
"The only embargo is the guillotine the regime holds over its own citizens' heads," Waltz asserted.
He criticized GAESA, the military-controlled conglomerate, for managing about half of Cuba's economy and a fund of approximately $18 billion, noting that "not a cent" reaches the Cuban people. Waltz also accused the regime of confiscating wages from doctors sent abroad and Cubans recruited to fight in Ukraine, with the proceeds ending up "in the Castro family's pockets."
A Call to International Action
In one of the speech's most striking moments, Waltz questioned how the country could lack fuel for hospitals while the Castro family enjoys private jets, Rolex watches, Hermès ties, and hundreds of properties inside and outside Cuba.
The General Assembly ultimately approved the debate with 136 votes in favor, nine against, and 30 abstentions, a significantly lower level of support for Havana compared to the annual embargo vote in October 2025, which saw 165 favorable votes—the worst result for the regime in over three decades.
Before concluding, Waltz directly addressed the international community:
"Side with the Cuban people, not with the regime that has bankrupted that country. You cannot do both. The time has come to choose."
Understanding the U.S.-Cuba UN Confrontation
What sparked the confrontation between the U.S. ambassador and the Cuban foreign minister at the UN?
The confrontation was ignited by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez repeatedly interrupting U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz during a session discussing the U.S. embargo on Cuba, leading to a heated exchange.
How did Mike Waltz respond to the interruptions from Bruno Rodríguez?
Mike Waltz firmly stated that the United Nations is not controlled by Cuba, asserting the right to speak freely and criticizing the Cuban regime for silencing its people.
What issues did Waltz highlight in his speech regarding the situation in Cuba?
Waltz focused on the ongoing political, economic, and humanitarian crisis in Cuba, mentioning power blackouts, political prisoners, and the regime's control over the economy.