Mike Waltz Shouts Down Cuban Foreign Minister at UN Embargo Debate

A dispute over the U.S. embargo against Cuba descended into a shouting match at the United Nations on October 27, after Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla approached the podium to challenge U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz over his allegations against Havana.

Waltz, addressing the General Assembly, told Rodríguez to step back as the two officials exchanged accusations in front of delegates. "You understand who you're dealing with? This is America. Back up!" he shouted, according to footage of the confrontation.

The incident unfolded during the Assembly's annual debate on a non-binding resolution calling for an end to the U.S. economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba. The vote is scheduled for October 28.

Confrontation at the Podium

The exchange began as Waltz criticized the privileges enjoyed by Cuba's political elite, citing real estate holdings, luxury watches and private jets while ordinary Cubans face power outages and shortages.

He also accused Fidel Castro's government of sending "thousands of people, homosexuals, Christians, Afro-Cubans and others to concentration camps." During his remarks, Waltz displayed a photograph of Che Guevara with a Rolex watch circled and an estimated value of about $40,000.

Members of the Cuban delegation responded by banging on their desks. Rodríguez then left his seat and approached the podium, asking General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman to call Waltz to order under Rule 71.

Rodríguez accused the U.S. ambassador of lying and behaving in an undignified manner. "He is offending the dignity of the people and government of Cuba," he said.

Waltz refused to back down. "He's not going to intimidate me in the United States of America — like he tries to intimidate political prisoners," he said, according to the New York Post.

UN officials intervened as the confrontation continued. Rahman threatened to suspend the session if order was not restored.

Competing Accusations

After being given the floor, Rodríguez said Waltz was "lying blatantly." He also criticized Waltz's performance at the United Nations and Security Council, wishing the U.S. ambassador "a better future in other functions."

Waltz resumed his remarks despite further desk-banging. "This is America, my friend. This is the United Nations. This isn't your communist dictatorship. You cannot silence me," he said.

He later posted a clip of the exchange on social media with the caption: "See the corrupt Cuban regime's Rolex collection while their people sit in the dark."

A separate video obtained by the New York Post appears to show Waltz spokesman J.P. Freire being assaulted by a Cuban delegate who allegedly tried to seize Freire's iPhone while he filmed the confrontation.

The Embargo Dispute

The confrontation reflects the opposing positions Washington and Havana bring to the annual UN debate.

"There is no blockade. A blockade is a ring of military ships around an island. It doesn't exist," Waltz said, adding that U.S. companies exported more than $876 million in goods to Cuba in the first eight months of 2026. Washington attributes Cuba's economic crisis to government policies, corruption, repression and the role of the military conglomerate GAESA in controlling large parts of the economy.

Cuba, by contrast, describes the restrictions as collective punishment and an "energy blockade," arguing that U.S. measures drive the country's economic and humanitarian difficulties. Havana's leadership has gone further, with President Díaz-Canel accusing the U.S. of genocide.

The non-binding resolution has passed by wide margins for decades. Last year's vote was 165 in favor and seven against, with 12 abstentions.

A Series of Public Clashes

The latest exchange follows earlier confrontations between Waltz and Cuban representatives.

In July 2026, Waltz told Cuban diplomats, "This is not Havana... We will not be silenced like your own people."

On October 19, Cuban diplomats confronted Waltz and former political prisoners at a U.S.-hosted panel on human rights in Cuba, shouting "liar."

The clash comes amid rising U.S. pressure on Havana, including a CIA task force aimed at fracturing Cuba's political elite and a top U.S. general's call on Cubans to seize the moment.