USA

US Expels Cuban Diplomat Amid Rising Tensions Between Washington and Havana

31 October 2026 00:10 AM

NEWS DESK

The Trump administration has expelled a Cuban diplomat from the United States amid escalating tensions between Washington and Havana, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz has announced.

The decision came shortly after a heated confrontation between Waltz and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla during a UN General Assembly debate on the US economic embargo against Cuba. At the same time, senior US administration officials have intensified warnings about possible action against the Caribbean nation.

Waltz said on Tuesday evening that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had signed the paperwork ordering the expulsion of the first secretary of Cuba's diplomatic delegation.

He accused the Cuban diplomat of shoving and attempting to assault an American diplomat.

"Any attempt to lay hands on an American on American soil will not be tolerated by President Trump, Secretary Rubio or me. There will be consequences," Waltz said.

In an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, Waltz said the Cuban diplomat would board a flight back to Havana that day and leave the United States.

Video footage of Tuesday's confrontation showed members of the Cuban delegation banging on the table while Waltz was speaking. Cuban Foreign Minister Rodríguez Parrilla could be heard raising procedural objections to the proceedings.

The Cuban foreign minister later approached the podium, where the two officials exchanged heated words.

From the podium, Waltz shouted: "This individual needs to get away from the podium. He cannot intimidate me on American soil the way he tries to intimidate political prisoners. I represent the United States. Back away!"

Waltz was also heard calling the Cuban official a "liar".

Another video posted on Waltz's social media account on X showed a Cuban diplomat pushing away a phone being used to record the confrontation. The diplomat argued that the person filming was invading his personal space.

Following the incident, Cuba's UN mission sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General expressing serious concern. The letter accused a US diplomat of invading a Cuban diplomat's personal space while recording the confrontation and subsequently circulating the footage on social media to damage his reputation.

Meanwhile, the UN General Assembly on Wednesday overwhelmingly adopted a resolution condemning the longstanding US economic embargo against Cuba.

The resolution received 130 votes in favour, 17 against and 25 abstentions.

The Trump administration has intensified economic pressure on Cuba in recent months in an effort to bring about changes to the country's communist government. In recent days, US officials have also made increasingly forceful public statements about possible intervention aimed at removing Havana's long-standing leadership.

On Friday, Rubio issued a strong message on X, urging those seeking political change in Cuba to seize what he described as an opportunity.

"Those who want to see positive change in Cuba — now is the time," Rubio wrote, calling for an end to failed promises, corruption and the privileged lifestyles of a small group of people. He also encouraged those seeking change to pursue opportunities through discreet cooperation with the CIA.

Several Americans involved in projects in Cuba have maintained contacts with the CIA, according to two sources familiar with the matter. However, discussions remain at an early stage and reportedly began before Rubio's social media post.

It remains unclear whether Rubio's public appeal will encourage more Cuban citizens to contact the CIA as part of efforts to remove the country's communist government.

Minutes after Rubio's post, the agency released a Spanish-language video outlining step-by-step instructions on how to contact the US intelligence service securely.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has made provocative remarks about Cuba while campaigning ahead of the US midterm elections.

Trump said the United States would address the Cuban issue on its way back from Iran.

"What we're going to do with Cuba, actually, is we're going to stop on the way back from Iran. With those beautiful ships, we'll go right past Cuba," Trump said.

"We'll stop a ship about 50 yards off the coast. They'll raise their hands and surrender. Then we'll send Marco Rubio in to finish the game," he added.

Cuban Diplomat Expel