A heated exchange between U.S. and Cuban officials took place on the floor of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, escalating tensions between the two nations concerning the United States' economic embargo against Cuba.

The confrontation began when U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz addressed the assembly, arguing against the annual resolution that condemns the decades-long U.S. economic embargo. As Waltz detailed alleged corruption by the Cuban government, members of the Cuban delegation, including Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, began to bang on their tables and call for a point of order.

Amid efforts by U.N. officials to de-escalate the situation, Rodríguez approached the head of the General Assembly and shouted at Waltz, accusing him of lying. Waltz responded by asserting American authority, stating, “You understand who you’re dealing with? This is America. Back up.”

This incident highlighted the strained relations between Cuba and the U.S., particularly as the Trump administration intensifies its economic pressure on Havana with the aim of prompting political changes. Cuba is already grappling with significant economic challenges, and recent U.S. actions, such as imposing tariffs on countries supplying oil to the island, have led to severe fuel shortages and widespread power outages affecting daily life.

The public spat follows a similar interaction between Waltz and his Cuban counterpart, Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, a week prior, which occurred outside a U.S.-hosted panel discussing alleged government oppression in Cuba.

U.S. officials have been using public forums at the U.N. to encourage member states to vote against the annual resolution, which criticizes the U.S. policy of "maximum pressure" against Cuba. For the past 34 years, this resolution has garnered substantial support, with last year's vote being 165-7. However, for the first time, Argentina, Ukraine, and Hungary opposed the measure.

While U.N. resolutions are not legally binding, they serve as an indicator of global opinion. The U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. during the period of the notes was identified as Mike Waltz, who argued against the resolution condemning the economic embargo.