UN Assembly: 165 to 7 vote looms as U.S. and Cuba clash on floor

The United Nations General Assembly saw a rare breakdown in decorum on Tuesday when U.S. and Cuban diplomats raised their voices during a debate on the island's economic isolation. The incident involved U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, who engaged in a direct confrontation in the main chamber.

The dispute began while Waltz spoke against the annual resolution condemning the U.S. embargo. He cited decades of alleged corruption by the Cuban government. Members of the Cuban delegation, including Rodríguez, slammed their table and demanded a point of order. When U.N. officials attempted to quiet the room, Rodríguez moved to the head of the assembly and shouted at Waltz, “You are a liar!”

Waltz replied from his position, “You understand who you’re dealing with? This is America. Back up.” The exchange marked a sharp departure from the usual diplomatic calm at the U.N., reflecting the current state of relations between Washington and Havana.

The tension stems from President Donald Trump’s administration efforts to force political change in Cuba through increased economic pressure. In late January, Trump announced tariffs on nations selling or providing oil to Cuba. This move has effectively cut off fuel supplies to the island. The shortage has caused widespread power outages, disrupting cooking, water supply, and communication services.

Cuban officials argue that while the U.S. demands private investment, it simultaneously adds sanctions that block economic opening. This week's clash follows a similar confrontation one week earlier between Waltz and Cuban counterpart Ernesto Soberón Guzmán. That incident occurred outside a U.S. hosted panel featuring Cuban dissidents and former prisoners.

U.S. officials aim to persuade member states to oppose the annual resolution on Wednesday. The measure criticizes Washington’s “maximum pressure policy” against Cuba. For 34 years, the resolution has passed with overwhelming support. Last year, 165 nations voted in favor, seven opposed, and 12 abstained. Argentina, Ukraine, and Hungary voted against the measure for the first time last year. Though not legally binding, the vote serves as a gauge of global opinion.