UN General Assembly Condemns US Cuba Embargo Amid Ambassador Waltz Speech Disruption

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz was interrupted and sharply criticized by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez during a UN General Assembly speech defending U.S. economic restrictions on Cuba. Rodríguez accused Waltz of lying and behaving uncivilized, crude, and grossly, while mocking Waltz's involvement in a leaked Signal chat scandal involving the Trump administration, highlighting the inappropriateness of Waltz's remarks in the diplomatic forum. Waltz responded defiantly, rejecting the legitimacy of Cuba's government and portraying it as a brutal regime supporting terrorism and destabilizing activities in the Americas. Despite Waltz's defense, the General Assembly overwhelmingly voted 165-7 to condemn the U.S. embargo on Cuba, marking the 33rd consecutive year of such symbolic resolutions. The Signal chat controversy, which led to Waltz's reassignment from national security adviser to UN ambassador, continues to overshadow his diplomatic efforts and has been cited as evidence of a lack of diplomatic savvy. The confrontation underscored tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, with global consensus largely opposing the continuation of U.S. sanctions.