Cuba Welcomes Home Diplomat Expelled by US After UN Altercation
Havana asserts that the diplomat acted with dignity and defended himself against perceived provocation by U.S. representatives at the United Nations.
Cuba welcomed home a diplomat expelled by the United States following a contentious confrontation at the United Nations earlier this week. Richard Tur de la Concepción, first secretary of Cuba’s U.N. mission, was met by Cuban Foreign Ministry officials and supporters at Havana's airport.
Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Gerardo Peñalver stated on social media that Tur had "firmly and with dignity confronted the disrespectful and provocative behavior" of the U.S. delegation. Peñalver accused U.S. officials of attempting to disrupt a vote on a resolution condemning the U.S. embargo on Cuba and of undermining Tur’s candidacy for a position within a U.N. body.
The expulsion was announced by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz and later confirmed by the U.S. State Department. U.S. officials reported that Tur shoved an American diplomat and attempted to seize a phone the diplomat was using to record their altercation on Tuesday during a General Assembly session focused on the embargo. The incident reportedly escalated into a verbal dispute between Ambassador Waltz and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez.
Cuba maintains that Tur was acting in self-defense after his personal space was invaded. This confrontation occurs amidst heightened tensions between the United States and Cuba, particularly following the imposition of an energy blockade by the Trump administration earlier this year, aimed at influencing Cuba's government and political system. Washington has also made threats of military action against the Caribbean nation.
Peñalver characterized the U.S. delegation's actions as part of a strategy to impede the vote against the embargo, which Cuba refers to as a "genocidal blockade."
Tur expressed gratitude for his reception, asserting that "Cuba will prevail over Yankee arrogance and anyone who seeks to intimidate us."
On Wednesday, the General Assembly passed Cuba's resolution calling for an end to the U.S. embargo with a vote of 130-17, with 25 abstentions. This nonbinding measure is presented annually.