U.S. envoy Waltz and Cuba's foreign minister trade shouts on UN General Assembly floor during embargo debate

As of 7:25 a.m. ET, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla got into a shouting match on the floor of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, during the Assembly's annual debate on a resolution calling for an end to the U.S. economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba.

Waltz used his speech to accuse Cuba's government of enriching its elite while ordinary Cubans face shortages, Anadolu Agency reported. He rejected Havana's description of U.S. measures as a blockade. "There is no blockade," Waltz said, according to Anadolu. "A blockade is a ring of military ships around an island. It doesn't exist." The New York Post reported that Waltz held up a photo of Fidel Castro wearing two Rolex watches and another of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who he said was also wearing a Rolex.

EFE reported, as carried by Infobae, that the exchange began after Waltz accused Castro of sending "thousands of homosexuals, Christians, Afro-Cubans and others to concentration camps." Members of the Cuban delegation banged on their desks while Waltz spoke, and Rodríguez shouted toward him from his seat and asked the Assembly president to call the U.S. delegate to order, EFE reported. Photos published by the New York Post, including from EPA, show Rodríguez approaching the rostrum while Waltz was speaking. The Post reported that Rodríguez accused Waltz of lying and that Waltz shouted, "Back up!"

"This is America, my friend. This is the United Nations. This isn't your communist dictatorship. You cannot silence me," Waltz said, according to Anadolu. "He doesn't like hard truths," Waltz told delegates, according to the Post. "You can come and intimidate all you want."

General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman warned that he could suspend the session, EFE reported, and later gave Rodríguez the floor to respond. Rodríguez accused Waltz of "lying shamelessly," according to EFE. "He is offending the dignity of the people and government of Cuba," Rodríguez said, according to Anadolu and EFE. He added that Waltz was "lying again" and said he hoped Waltz would have "a better future in other roles," EFE reported. Waltz then resumed his speech, which the Cuban delegation interrupted again at points, EFE said.

Returning to the embargo, Waltz said American companies exported more than $876 million in goods to Cuba in the first eight months of 2026, including $230 million in fuel for eligible private businesses, Anadolu reported. The Associated Press also reported the shouting match.

The Assembly is considering the resolution on Tuesday and Wednesday, EFE reported. The UN's webcast lists the meeting as the 27th plenary meeting of the Assembly's 81st session, on the item "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba."

The Assembly adopted the nonbinding resolution the next day, Oct. 28, by a vote of 130 in favor, 17 against and 25 abstentions, The Associated Press reported.

What is not known

Quotes from the floor clash are as reported by Anadolu, EFE, the New York Post and AP. GROKsiNEWS.com has not independently audited the full UN webcast against every attributed line.