Colombian journalist Juan Esteban Silva, who serves as the White House correspondent for Caracol Radio in Washington, has publicly condemned the verbal attacks launched by supporters of the Cuban regime at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The incident occurred during a human rights meeting organized by the United States.
Silva, who witnessed the confrontation on Monday, October 19, shared a 29-second video on his X account this past Tuesday. The footage provides a front-row view of the altercation, capturing the moment when several participants were accosted by Cuban regime sympathizers with shouts and insults.
One striking moment in the video shows a man in a suit making an offensive hand gesture, raising his middle finger—a gesture considered disrespectful in Cuba and beyond. Several attendees can also be seen recording the scene on their mobile phones.
"This cannot stand," Silva declared at the beginning of his post, where he detailed the outcome of the meeting convened by U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz.
"Yesterday, we were with Ambassador Mike Waltz in New York. His team called us to a hearing to expose the abuses of the Cuban regime," the journalist elaborated.
Confrontation Overshadows Human Rights Discussion
What was intended to be a session focused on highlighting human rights issues in Cuba was overshadowed by the disruptive behavior of individuals allied with the Havana government.
"Outside, regime supporters hurled insults and slurs at the ambassador and the U.S. delegation to the UN," Silva reported.
"I had the chance to be there and witness it firsthand. Intimidation will not drown out the truth," he asserted.
Cuban Diplomats Clash with Opponents at UN Gathering
The confrontation took place during "Free Cuba: The Oppression Havana Hides," an event organized by the U.S. Permanent Mission to the United Nations. The meeting aimed to address political repression, the status of political prisoners, medical missions, and corruption in Cuba.
Among those present were opposition figures such as José Daniel Ferrer, founder of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), and artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, both recently released from Cuban prisons and currently outside the country. Additional attendees included researchers, activists, and U.S. political representatives.
During the act of repudiation led by members of the Cuban delegation, attendees were accosted with chants of "terrorists" and "get out of the UN."
Ferrer quickly took to social media to report the incident.
"The Cuban communists just staged an act of repudiation against us at the UN," the opposition leader stated, also sharing footage of the event.
Cuban Delegation Criticizes the Event
The confrontation was anticipated by protests from the Cuban delegation against the meeting organized by Washington.
Days prior, Ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán questioned the legitimacy of the event, arguing it violated United Nations protocols.
The diplomat claimed that the United States was attempting to use the international body to launch a political campaign against Cuba.
Waltz dismissed these criticisms, affirming the right of Cuban dissidents and former political prisoners to share their experiences.
"If it bothers them that we give a platform to Cubans to discuss these issues, maybe they should stop committing these acts. Then we wouldn't have to talk about them," the U.S. ambassador retorted to Soberón's objections.
This tension arises just days before the annual United Nations General Assembly vote on Cuba's resolution demanding an end to the U.S. embargo, scheduled for October 27 and 28.
Questions About the UN Incident and Cuban Regime
What prompted the confrontation at the UN?
The confrontation at the UN was sparked by a meeting called to discuss human rights abuses in Cuba, which was disrupted by supporters of the Cuban regime.
Who were some of the key figures involved in the UN event?
Key figures included José Daniel Ferrer, founder of UNPACU, artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, and U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz.
How did the U.S. respond to Cuban criticisms of the UN event?
U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz defended the event, arguing that it was important to give a voice to Cuban dissidents and criticized the Cuban regime's actions.