US and Cuban officials clash at UN during embargo debate

U.S. and Cuban officials engaged in a shouting confrontation at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday during debate over the longstanding U.S. economic embargo on Cuba.

U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz was urging member states to oppose an annual resolution calling for an end to the embargo when he accused Cuba’s government of enriching its leaders while ordinary Cubans faced shortages and power cuts. Cuban delegates banged on their desks and sought a point of order, and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla approached the front of the chamber and accused Waltz of lying.

“This is America. Back up,” Waltz said as he demanded that Cuban representatives move away from the podium. General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman briefly suspended proceedings before allowing Rodríguez to raise his procedural objection. Rodríguez said Waltz’s remarks violated the dignity of Cuba and the assembly. The debate later resumed.

Waltz subsequently said Secretary of State Marco Rubio had signed paperwork expelling a Cuban diplomat accused of shoving and attempting to assault a U.S. official during the confrontation. He said the diplomat would be sent to Cuba within 24 hours. The diplomat was not officially identified, and neither the State Department nor Cuba’s government had publicly confirmed the expulsion.

The General Assembly was scheduled to vote Wednesday on the nonbinding resolution. Similar measures have received overwhelming support nearly every year since 1992, but only the U.S. Congress can lift the embargo.