US Ambassador Mike Waltz Tells Cuban Foreign Minister to ‘Step Back’ During UN General Assembly Clash

A heated exchange erupted at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday when US Ambassador Mike Waltz told Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla to step back after the Cuban diplomat approached the podium during his speech.

Accusing Cuba’s government of enriching its leaders while its people suffer, Waltz said, “We know. We know where it went. And today, we are here to expose it to the world.”

When members of the Cuban delegation attempted to interrupt him, Waltz pushed back, saying, “I know you don’t like hearing this. This is America, friend. This is the United Nations. This is not your communist dictatorship. You cannot stop me.”

The president of the General Assembly attempted to restore order, reminding delegates that they would have an opportunity to respond. However, Rodríguez continued moving toward the podium.

As tensions escalated, Waltz demanded that the Cuban foreign minister move away.

“This man needs to get off this podium. He will not intimidate me on American soil,” Waltz said.

“I am the representative of the United States. Step back! Step back, Ambassador. Move away! This is not Havana,” he added.

The confrontation took place during the General Assembly’s annual debate on the decades-old US embargo against Cuba. Waltz was urging member states to reject a resolution calling for the lifting of the sanctions.

When Cuba was later given the floor to respond, Rodríguez accused Waltz of lying and called on the General Assembly president to bring the US ambassador under control.

“Mr. Waltz is lying again,” Rodríguez said.

He argued that the US ambassador’s remarks were incompatible with the dignity of the forum and its member states, describing them as insulting to the Cuban government and people.

In a subsequent post on X, Waltz claimed that Cuba’s communist leaders wanted to conceal their luxury real estate holdings. He also said he had come prepared with evidence, which he suggested the Cuban delegation was unwilling to accept.