Díaz-Canel accuses Washington of failing to justify its energy siege as delegations condemned the humanitarian and economic consequences of US restrictions.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez accused Washington of attempting to justify its economic aggression and energy blockade against Cuba through false allegations, following a heated confrontation with US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz during a General Assembly debate on Tuesday.
"With his crude lies at the UN General Assembly, the U.S. government has launched another desperate attempt to justify its economic aggression against Cuba and its criminal energy blockade," Rodríguez wrote on X.
The exchange took place as the assembly considered Havana’s latest draft resolution calling for an end to the US economic, commercial, and financial embargo against the island.
Rodríguez challenges Waltz during debate
The confrontation began after Waltz started criticizing Cuba’s socialist government. Rodríguez approached the podium where the US ambassador was speaking, called him a liar, and sought recognition from the presiding official to raise a "point of order."
UN security staff and other personnel attempted to intervene as Waltz confronted the Cuban foreign minister.
"This individual needs to back away from this podium. He’s not going to intimidate me in the United States of America," Waltz said. "You understand who you’re dealing with? This is America. Back up."
Responding afterward on X, Rodríguez reminded the US ambassador that he was addressing the United Nations, rather than attending a national security meeting at the White House.
Díaz-Canel condemns energy siege
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel also criticized the US delegation, saying Washington has failed to explain its restrictions on Cuba’s energy supplies or the expanding reach of its blockade.
"During the debate, the U.S. representative, in evident isolation, did not have the courage to explain to the world the reason for the criminal energy siege to which they subject the Cuban people, nor for the strengthening of the extraterritoriality of the Blockade."
His remarks came as participating delegations highlighted the humanitarian toll and economic consequences of US measures. According to AP, speakers called for respect for Cuba’s sovereignty and the principles of international law.
International calls to end the blockade
China joined the demands for Washington to reverse its policy, with its permanent representative to the UN, Fu Cong, pledging support for the Cuban resolution, Global Times reported.
Fu urged an end to sanctions and secondary sanctions against Cuba, alongside its removal from Washington’s so-called "list of state sponsors of terrorism." He said Cuba’s future must be determined by its own people and rejected attempts to impose political choices through outside pressure, military threats, or judicial measures.
The Chinese envoy contrasted 64 years of US restrictions with 34 years of General Assembly consideration of the issue, arguing that repeated international demands have failed to secure an end to the measures. He reaffirmed Beijing’s support for Cuba’s sovereignty, security, and right to development.
The two-day debate, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, centers on the draft titled "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba."
Since the first vote in 1992, resolutions demanding an end to the embargo have repeatedly received overwhelming backing.
In October 2025, the resolution secured 165 votes in favor, with 12 abstentions and seven votes against. The opposing countries were the United States, "Israel", Argentina, Paraguay, Ukraine, North Macedonia, and Hungary.
Source: News websites
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