On Wednesday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla stood up for Miguel Díaz-Canel at the United Nations General Assembly, declaring that unlike U.S. politicians, the Cuban leader "will face the same fate as the rest of our people in the face of imperialist aggression."
This statement was made during an extraordinary session called by the Cuban regime to discuss the embargo, which was approved on Tuesday with 136 votes in favor, nine against, and 30 abstentions. The session was a direct response to U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz's speech.
Rodríguez also relayed a message from Raúl Castro, stating that the army general is "ready to defend our homeland," alluding to Waltz's references to the aged leader during his speech.
Cuban Foreign Minister's Defiant Stance
Rodríguez labeled Waltz as an "insignificant official" and warned him, "Mr. Waltz, no one will remember you soon," while invoking Che Guevara and quoting Cuban hero Antonio Maceo. He concluded with a warning: "Anyone who attempts to seize Cuba will only gather the dust of its blood-soaked soil if they do not perish in the fight."
The Cuban minister displayed images of blackouts in Havana, operating rooms lit by cell phone flashlights, and humanitarian aid transported by ox-drawn carts, blaming these conditions on Washington's "energy blockade" in an effort to counter Waltz's criticisms of Cuba's situation.
Electricity Crisis and U.S. Allegations
The session occurred as the island faced its third total electrical system collapse in 2026, with a shortfall of 2,230 megawatts against a demand of 3,100 megawatts. The regime attributes this to U.S. sanctions, although it reflects decades of underinvestment and poor management.
Waltz, on his part, presented photographs of Cuban political prisoners like Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, Maykel "Osorbo" Castillo Pérez, and Duannis León Taboada. He accused the regime's business conglomerate, GAESA, of managing an $18 billion trust fund, from which "not a single cent goes to the Cuban people."
The U.S. ambassador also claimed that the Castro family owns 700 mansions in Cuba, the Costa del Sol, and Moscow, questioning, "How is there no fuel for hospitals, but there is for the Castro family's private jet?"
Assembly Tensions and Upcoming Centennial
Rodríguez interrupted Waltz twice with procedural motions, both rejected by the Assembly's presidency. In the first, he called Waltz a "liar" and claimed the UN "is not a Green Beret camp." Waltz calmly replied, "The truth hurts, and the truth is not disrespectful."
The Cuban foreign minister also announced that Cuba would soon celebrate Fidel Castro's centenary on August 13, 2026, in Birán, reaffirming that "Cuba will never surrender its sovereignty and independence, for which its best sons have already died."
The vote result, with 136 in favor of the debate, was significantly lower than the 165 votes the regime received in the October 2025 annual vote. This decline reflects the partial impact of Washington's diplomatic pressure: a leaked cable signed by Marco Rubio indicated that the State Department instructed its embassies to block the debate's opening at the UN.
Key Questions About Cuba's Current Situation
What was the purpose of the extraordinary session at the UN General Assembly?
The session was called by the Cuban regime to discuss the embargo and was a response to U.S. criticisms and diplomatic pressure.
How has the Cuban government responded to claims about its economic management?
Cuban officials attribute economic difficulties to U.S. sanctions, although critics argue these issues stem from long-term mismanagement.
What accusations did U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz make against the Cuban regime?
Waltz accused the regime of maintaining a large trust fund with no benefit to the people and questioned the Castro family's wealth amid shortages.