United States at the UN: "Cubans Deserve Freedom"

During a tense session at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz confronted the Cuban delegation. The meeting, called by the Cuban regime to discuss the U.S. embargo, became a platform for Waltz to criticize the regime's oppression, showcase images of political prisoners, and assert that "Cubans deserve freedom."

The gathering occurred as Cuba experienced its third island-wide blackout of 2026, which began on Monday when power generation dropped to 935 MW, far below the 3,100 MW demand.

Switching the Narrative

Waltz challenged the regime's usual narrative by stating, "There's been much talk of a blockade today, and indeed, there is a blockade before us: the ruthless blockade the Cuban regime imposes on its own people, decade after decade."

With a touch of irony, he highlighted the blackout's irony: "Once again, sadly, Cuba is shrouded in darkness. What a surprise: the regime and the dictatorship always seem to have light and power. Right now, there's electricity in the Castro family's compound."

Interruption and Resolution

As Waltz continued, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla interrupted, calling the ambassador a "liar" and stating, "This is the United Nations General Assembly, not a Green Beret camp."

The Assembly chair rebuffed the interruption, allowing Waltz to resume. He retorted, "The truth offends, and the truth is not disrespect." Rodríguez's subsequent attempt to disrupt was similarly dismissed.

Highlighting Injustice

Waltz presented photos and names of Cuban political prisoners to the Assembly: Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, a visual artist facing five years in maximum security; Maykel Osorbo, musician and co-author of "Patria y Vida," sentenced to nine years; rapper Miguel Castillo Pérez; poet Duanes León, serving a 14-year sentence; and brothers Jorge and Martín Perdomo, whose detention has been condemned by the UN.

"They are not violent; they carry no weapons. They bring flowers and write poetry and songs, and for this, the regime tries to silence them by imprisonment," Waltz declared, recalling that over 800 individuals were jailed following the July 11, 2021 protests, now marking their fifth anniversary this month.

The Reality of the Embargo

Waltz dismantled the embargo argument by highlighting that aid from Canada, China, the European Union, Spain, and the UN reaches Cuba unimpeded. Additionally, the U.S. provides over $100 million annually in aid distributed with the Vatican and the Catholic Church.

He accused GAESA, a Cuban military entity controlling half the economy, of managing an $18 billion trust fund without benefiting the Cuban people, and condemned the regime for sending thousands of Cubans to fight in Ukraine, with their wages going "directly to the regime."

The Session's True Intent

Waltz was clear about the session's actual goal: "Blaming the United States is Havana's only economic plan. It's all they have left."

The Assembly voted to open the debate with 136 in favor, nine against, and 30 abstentions, significantly lower than the 165 votes Cuba received in October 2025, marking the worst record in over thirty years.

Waltz concluded with a direct appeal to the delegations: "Stand with the Cuban people, not with the regime that has devastated the country. You cannot do both. It's time to make a choice."