Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla used his time at the UN General Assembly to counter U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz with a series of photos depicting blackouts in Havana, families plunged into darkness, operating rooms lit by mobile phones, and humanitarian aid being carried by ox-drawn carts. He attributed each scene to what he called the "United States' energy blockade."
His remarks followed a day after the Assembly approved an urgent debate on the embargo, with 136 votes in favor, nine against, and 30 abstentions. This session came after Waltz had presented images of Cuban political prisoners and questioned how the regime could afford a private jet while hospitals operate without electricity.
Rodríguez began with a touch of irony, suggesting that the U.S. team "deserved a red card," and expressed his intention to add to Waltz's "photo gallery."
"This photo is dramatic, Mr. President. It's an operating room being lit by a mobile phone flashlight. This is due to the energy blockade by the United States of America," he declared to the assembly.
What Rodríguez failed to mention is that Cuba's energy crisis has structural causes acknowledged even by the regime's engineers: three decades of deferred investments and lack of maintenance, with the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant experiencing 17 outages in 2026 without major maintenance since 2010.
The third total collapse of the electrical system in 2026—the seventh within 18 months—occurred on July 6 and 7, with a generation deficit exceeding 2,200 MW against a demand of 3,100 MW, setting the backdrop for the entire session in New York.
To counter Waltz's accusations of repression, Rodríguez presented images of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, including the detention of a five-year-old boy identified as Liam Conejo Ramos.
"You won't find a similar image in Cuba of violent repression against demonstrators," he claimed, overlooking the regime's crackdown on the July 11, 2021, protesters and the hundreds of political prisoners still incarcerated.
Responding to Waltz's criticism of corruption, the foreign minister labeled the Trump administration as "a true plutocracy, due to institutional and legal corruption, the existence of so-called special interests, and multimillion-dollar election campaigns."
Rodríguez also invited Waltz to review statements from the White House spokesperson on March 30 and the U.S. President the day before, which he claimed confirm the "total hydrocarbon blockade," dismissing criticisms of Cuba's medical cooperation program, asserting that they offend the 50 recipient countries present in the room.
In a tone of personal disdain, he told the ambassador, "Mr. Waltz, no one will know who you are in a short time."
Regarding Raúl Castro, he assured that the former dictator "remains ready to defend our homeland."
Rodríguez concluded by quoting General Antonio Maceo: "Whoever tries to take over Cuba will only gather dust from its blood-soaked soil if they do not perish in the struggle."
The debate's outcome—with 136 votes in favor—was significantly lower than the 165 votes Cuba received in October 2025, reflecting the impact of diplomatic pressure documented in a leaked cable from Secretary Marco Rubio published by The Nation on July 2, 2026.
Key Insights on Cuba's Energy Crisis and Diplomatic Tensions
What images did Bruno Rodríguez present at the UN?
Bruno Rodríguez presented images of blackouts in Havana, operating rooms lit by mobile phones, and humanitarian aid transported by ox-drawn carts, attributing these hardships to the U.S. energy blockade.
How did Rodríguez respond to accusations of repression in Cuba?
Rodríguez countered by showing images of ICE raids in the U.S., claiming there were no similar images of violent repression in Cuba, despite overlooking the regime's actions against July 11, 2021, protesters.
What did the debate's vote reflect about Cuba's diplomatic situation?
The debate resulted in 136 votes in favor of Cuba, which was significantly lower than the 165 votes received in October 2025, indicating the effect of diplomatic pressure on Cuba's situation.