On Tuesday, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, expressed his belief that the Cuban people will eventually gain their freedom "one way or another." He conveyed his confidence that this shift might occur during Donald Trump's presidency in a statement to Fox News, following a heated exchange with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla at the UN General Assembly.
The confrontation arose during the annual debate on the U.S. embargo against Cuba. Waltz presented an image of Fidel Castro wearing a Rolex watch to highlight the regime's corruption, facing repeated interruptions from the Cuban delegation, which filed at least three procedural motions.
During Waltz's remarks, Rodríguez left his seat and approached the podium, prompting General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman to temporarily halt the session and ask the delegates to return to their seats.
Unfazed by the interruptions, Waltz stood firm. "This is the United Nations. It's not your communist dictatorship. You can't silence me," he retorted to the Cuban foreign minister, urging him to step back with assertive statements like "This isn't Havana" and "Get back."
In his subsequent interview with Fox News, Waltz explained his position: "Each time they tried to interrupt, I continued to expose the regime's corruption: the fact they send doctors abroad and keep the money, that's slave labor, ongoing human rights abuses, the 800 political prisoners, and the reality that one way or another, the Cuban people will see freedom."
Waltz further criticized the Cuban regime for being unaccustomed to hearing uncomfortable truths. "They didn't like hearing those hard truths. They're used to the propaganda in communist Havana, but under this administration, we're going to show the world the predation and failures of communism," he stated.
The incident extended beyond the assembly floor. Reports indicate that a member of the Cuban delegation attempted to seize the phone of J.P. Freire, the ambassador's spokesperson, while he recorded the altercation. The Cuban official claimed, "You're violating my personal space. It's not allowed." Waltz also accused a Cuban diplomat of pressuring UN staff to cut the microphones of the U.S. delegation.
In response, Rodríguez shared a video of the confrontation on social media, portraying it as a defense of Cuba and labeling Waltz as a "liar" with a "disgraceful attitude." The White House responded to the incident with a message stating, "Not in the United States of America."
During his Fox News appearance, Waltz also urged viewers to read Secretary of State Marco Rubio's report published in July 2026, which accuses the Cuban regime of financing, training, and supporting subversive elements within U.S. territory. "They're training, funding, and supporting them to undermine our republic. And we won't stand for it. Enough is enough," he concluded.
Key Questions on U.S.-Cuba Relations
Why did Mike Waltz accuse the Cuban regime of corruption?
Waltz accused the Cuban regime of corruption by highlighting instances like Fidel Castro's Rolex watch and the practice of sending doctors abroad while keeping the earnings, which he termed as slave labor.
What was the Cuban delegation's response to Waltz's statements?
The Cuban delegation interrupted Waltz's speech with procedural motions, and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez confronted Waltz directly, later sharing a video on social media labeling Waltz as a liar.
How did the U.S. administration react to the confrontation at the UN?
The White House responded by asserting that such behavior is unacceptable in the United States, reinforcing the stance against the actions of the Cuban delegation.