'This Isn't Havana': Ambassador Waltz and Cuba's Foreign Minister Clash at the U.N. Over the Embargo
During the General Assembly's embargo debate, Waltz accused Havana's leaders of enriching themselves while Cubans suffer. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez moved toward his podium and Waltz told him to back away. Rodriguez called Waltz a liar.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz and Cuba's foreign minister traded sharp words on the floor of the General Assembly on Tuesday, Fox News reports.
The setting. The Assembly was holding its annual debate on the decades-old U.S. embargo on Cuba. Waltz urged member states to reject a resolution calling for the restrictions to end. He accused the Cuban government of enriching its leaders while blaming Washington for hardships he said come from corruption and repression at home. "We know where it went," he said, "and today we are here to share it to the world."
The confrontation. As the Cuban delegation tried to interrupt, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla kept moving toward the podium while the Assembly president tried to restore order and reminded delegates they would get a chance to respond. Waltz said: "This individual needs to back away from this podium." He added: "This is America, my friend. This is the United Nations. This isn't your communist dictatorship. You cannot silence me." And later: "Back up! Back up, Ambassador. Back away! This isn't Havana."
The reply. When Cuba got the floor, Rodriguez accused Waltz of "lying" and asked the Assembly president to call him to order. He said Waltz's remarks were "beneath the dignity of this forum and member states" and insulting to Cuba's government and people.
Afterward. In a post on X, Waltz said Cuba's communist leaders "don't want you to know about their luxury real estate portfolio" and that he had brought the receipts. The Fox report does not detail those claims.
Note for readers: Waltz's charges about Cuban leaders' wealth are his own statements, and Rodriguez rejected them. Fox does not report how the Assembly voted on the resolution.