Cuban foreign minister calls US ambassador 'liar' in heated UN debate

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla called US Ambassador Mike Waltz a "liar" during a heated UN General Assembly debate on the US embargo against Cuba.

The confrontation

Rodríguez interrupted Waltz's speech, demanding the floor. Once granted, he said: "This is the UN General Assembly, not a Green Beret camp. You are a liar." Source: Infobae Waltz retorted by referencing the anniversary of Cuban protests and displaying photos of detained artists, including Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara. "They are in jail for writing poetry and songs," Waltz said. Source: Diario Libre

The dispute

Rodríguez insisted Waltz spoke "offensively against my country" and urged the presidency to call him to order. The US delegation had opposed holding the debate. Source: El Caribe

Context

Cuba has been suffering a severe energy crisis since 2024, worsened by US oil sanctions the UN calls contrary to international law. Waltz argued the blackouts are Cuba's own doing: "Always there seems to be light for the regime." Source: Infobae Since May, the US has imposed additional sanctions on entities supporting the Cuban government.