Just ten days after being declared persona non grata by Washington for physically assaulting an American official at the United Nations headquarters, Cuban diplomat Richard Tur de la Concepción has been appointed as an expert on the U.N. Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) for the 2027-2029 term.
Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla celebrated the appointment on social media, extending "warm congratulations" to Tur. He described the selection as a "new victory for Cuba and a recognition of its outstanding work in favor of multilateralism and the efforts of the Organization." Tur himself expressed gratitude to the Cuban Foreign Ministry and the mission team at the U.N., reaffirming his "commitment to strong U.N. management."
A Controversial Appointment Amid Diplomatic Tensions
The timing of this appointment couldn't be more ironic. On October 27, during the annual General Assembly debate on the U.S. embargo against Cuba, Tur attempted to snatch a phone from J.P. Freire, the head of Strategic Communications for the U.S. mission and spokesperson for Ambassador Mike Waltz. Tur reportedly struck Freire multiple times as he recorded the altercation.
That evening, Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed the expulsion order. Waltz announced on Fox News that Tur would "be on a plane heading to Havana within the next 24 hours," warning that "if you lay a hand on an American here in the United States, President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and I won't tolerate it."
On October 29, the State Department confirmed Tur's departure, criticizing the Cuban regime as "incompetent" with tactics of "intimidation and oppression." A spokesperson declared, "We have made it clear to the Cuban mission that this individual is not welcome in the United States."
Cuba's Propaganda Spin
Instead of acknowledging the severity of the incident, the Cuban regime turned it into propaganda. First Deputy Foreign Minister Gerardo Peñalver Portal greeted Tur at José Martí International Airport alongside several Foreign Ministry officials. On November 2, the ministry hosted a welcome event in Havana attended by 40-50 people, where Rodríguez Parrilla described Tur's actions as "firm and courageous" and "an example for Revolutionary Diplomacy."
Background and Implications
The Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba (FHRC) added Tur to its list of Cuban repressors following the incident, citing alleged ties to Cuban intelligence. Reports from Martí Noticias and the FHRC indicate that Tur's father served as an intelligence officer under diplomatic cover in Bolivia, Paraguay, and Jamaica.
The ACABQ, a 21-member committee elected by the U.N. General Assembly, provides guidance on budgetary and administrative matters. Members are chosen personally, not as government representatives. Tur's unopposed election suggests either no other candidates contested the position allocated to Cuba's regional group, or that Assembly members raised no formal objections.
This episode unfolds during Cuba's worst diplomatic week at the U.N. in decades. The annual resolution against the embargo passed on October 28 with 130 votes in favor, 17 against, and 25 abstentions—the least favorable outcome for Havana since 1992, compared to the 187 votes secured just two years earlier.
Frequently Asked Questions About U.N. Diplomatic Incidents
What led to Richard Tur de la Concepción's expulsion from the U.S.?
Richard Tur de la Concepción was expelled from the U.S. after physically assaulting a U.S. official during a U.N. General Assembly debate, an action that violated diplomatic norms.
How did the Cuban government respond to Tur's expulsion?
The Cuban government used the incident for propaganda, publicly supporting Tur and celebrating his actions as an example of Revolutionary Diplomacy.
What role does the ACABQ play in the U.N.?
The ACABQ is a committee that advises the U.N. General Assembly on budgetary and administrative matters, with members elected personally rather than as government representatives.