World · Latin America · 4 hrs ago
US and Cuban officials clash during UN debate on trade embargo
US envoy Mike Waltz and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez clashed during a UN General Assembly debate on Tuesday.
The debate focused on a resolution calling for an end to the US trade embargo on Cuba, which has lasted more than 60 years.
Waltz accused Cuba’s government of benefiting its political elite while people face shortages and power cuts; Rodríguez called Waltz a liar and demanded that he be called to order.
The clash reflects rising tensions as the Trump administration increases pressure on Cuba, including measures affecting oil supplies and fuel.
The General Assembly has backed calls to end the embargo almost every year since 1992, but its resolution is not legally binding, and only the US Congress can lift the embargo.
The Assembly was due to vote on the resolution on Wednesday, and its result would indicate the level of international support for ending the embargo.
US envoy Mike Waltz and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla shouted at each other during a UN General Assembly debate on the US embargo against Cuba.
Waltz accused Cuba’s government of corruption, while Rodríguez accused Waltz of lying and called for him to be ruled out of order.
The debate concerned a resolution calling for an end to the embargo, which the assembly has backed overwhelmingly in votes held almost every year since 1992.
The resolution is non-binding, and only the US Congress can lift the embargo.
The confrontation unfolded amid increased US economic pressure on Cuba, including restrictions on oil shipments and threatened tariffs on countries supplying the island with fuel.
- Who
- US envoy Mike Waltz and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla.
- What
- They clashed during a UN debate on the US embargo against Cuba.
- When
- Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
- Where
- The UN General Assembly.
- Why
- They disagreed over the embargo and Cuba’s government. Waltz criticized the Cuban government, while Rodríguez objected to his remarks.
United States
Cuba
Embargo
United States
The US defended its policy and argued that Cuba’s economic troubles stem from its government.
Cuba
Cuba supported a resolution calling for an end to the US embargo.
Cuba’s government
United States
Waltz accused the government of corruption and enriching its political elite.
Cuba
Rodríguez accused Waltz of lying and offending the dignity of Cuba’s people and government.
President Donald Trump announced tariffs on any country that sells or provides oil to Cuba.
Waltz and Cuban counterpart Ernesto Soberón Guzmán had a similar interaction outside a US-hosted panel.
Waltz and Rodríguez shouted at each other during the General Assembly debate.
The assembly was due to vote on the annual resolution calling for an end to the embargo.
- Debate date
- October 27, 2026
- Main participants
- Mike Waltz and Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla
- UN body
- 193-member General Assembly
- Embargo resolution
- Non-binding; only the US Congress can lift the embargo
- Previous vote
- 165-7, with 12 abstentions, in the previous year
3 sources
What people are saying
This isn’t Havana. You’re not going to intimidate me.
You understand who you’re dealing with? This is America. Back up.
I request you to call to order the Permanent Representative of the United States, who is not only lying grossly, but is beneath the dignity of this forum and member states
You are a liar!
Posts on X
Cuba’s Communist leaders love to blame capitalism for their country’s misery, yet they apparently have no problem benefiting from the global luxury goods marketplace.