Cuban delegation walks out as Trump calls island a 'failed state' at UN

President Donald Trump declared that Cuba 'will fall' during his address to the UN General Assembly on September 22, 2026, prompting the Cuban delegation to walk out of the chamber. The incident marks a new peak in tensions between Washington and Havana.

The walkout and reaction

As Trump described Cuba as an 'absolutely failed state' that is 'collapsing like never before,' four members of the Cuban delegation stood up and left the hall Source: The New York Times. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, who leads the delegation, later wrote on X that the US government is 'incapable of accepting that Cuba is, and has the right to be, a fully independent and sovereign country' Source: ABC.es. President Miguel Díaz-Canel accused Trump of resorting to 'lies' to justify US policy Source: Clarín.

US strategy and demands

Trump said his administration seeks 'fundamental change' in Cuba and revealed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is handling negotiations Source: Infobae. The US is pressing Cuba to liberalize its economy, open up to American businesses, buy US oil, and expel Russian and Chinese intelligence agents Source: The New York Times. Washington has intensified economic pressure, including a oil blockade since January Source: Clarín.

Mixed feelings in Havana

While some Cubans rejected Trump's remarks as disrespectful, others expressed exhaustion with daily hardships. 'We are tired of everything: the blackouts, no water, no food, living without medicine,' said Ana Valdivia, a 69-year-old cultural promoter Source: Euronews. The Cuban Observatory of Human Rights reports that 94% of Cubans live in extreme poverty Source: Euronews.