UN Floor: Waltz Orders Cuban Minister To Back Up

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz shouted at Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla to retreat from the podium on Tuesday. The clash occurred on the floor of the General Assembly while delegates debated the decades-old U.S. embargo on Cuba.

Waltz accused the Cuban government of enriching its leaders while the general population suffers. He stated that the U.S. delegation was sharing these findings with the world. As he spoke, the Cuban delegation moved toward the front to interrupt his remarks.

Waltz responded directly to the approaching diplomat. He told the Cuban minister that the venue was the United States and the United Nations, not a communist dictatorship. He insisted that the ambassador could not silence him in that location.

The confrontation intensified as Rodríguez Parrilla continued moving toward the podium. The president of the General Assembly attempted to restore order by reminding delegates that they would have a designated time to respond. Waltz told the Cuban minister to back away, stating that the diplomat was not going to intimidate him in the United States of America.

Waltz used the specific title in his retort, shouting, "Back up, Ambassador." He added that the location was not Havana. Waltz urged other member states to reject the resolution calling for an end to the U.S. trade restrictions.

After Cuba was granted the floor, Rodríguez Parrilla accused Waltz of lying. He asked the General Assembly president to call the U.S. ambassador to order. The Cuban minister argued that the remarks were beneath the dignity of the forum and insulting to the Cuban government and its people.

Waltz later posted on X that communist leaders in Cuba do not want the public to know about their luxury real estate portfolio. He said he was bringing receipts for those claims and that the delegation did not like the presentation.