US Ambassador Clashes With Cuban Foreign Minister at UN
Ambassador Mike Waltz tells Cuba's top diplomat to 'back up' during heated exchange at the UN General Assembly.
A heated exchange occurred at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday when U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz instructed Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla to "back up" as Parrilla approached the podium during Waltz's remarks.
Waltz was speaking on the floor of the General Assembly, addressing the U.S. embargo on Cuba and accusing the Cuban government of corruption and repression. As Parrilla began to interrupt, Waltz told him, "This is America, my friend. This is the United Nations. This isn't your communist dictatorship. You cannot silence me."
The confrontation escalated as Parrilla continued to approach the podium, prompting Waltz to repeat his demand: "This individual needs to back away from this podium. He's not going to intimidate me in the United States of America. I'm the representative of the United States of America. Back up. Back up! Ambassador. Back away! This isn't Havana."
The incident occurred during the General Assembly's annual debate on the U.S. embargo against Cuba. Waltz urged member states to reject a resolution calling for an end to the restrictions, arguing that the Cuban government enriches its leaders while its people suffer due to internal mismanagement.
After order was eventually restored and Cuba was granted the floor, Foreign Minister Parrilla accused Waltz of "lying" and stated that the U.S. ambassador's remarks were "beneath the dignity of this forum and Member States."
Waltz later posted on X, formerly Twitter, that Cuban leaders "don’t want you to know about their luxury real estate portfolio," suggesting this was the reason for their reaction.
