A heated confrontation erupted at the United Nations on Tuesday when President Donald Trump’s ambassador repeatedly ordered a Cuban official to back away from the stage during a tense exchange over the communist nation’s leadership.
U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz was delivering remarks criticizing Cuba’s government when Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parilla approached the podium, prompting an angry response.
“Back up! Back up, ambassador. Back away!” Waltz shouted.
“You’re not going to intimidate me. You understand who you’re dealing with?” he continued as Rodriguez stood just feet away, refusing to budge.
“This is America, back up!”
The confrontation unfolded Tuesday as Cuban delegates protested Waltz’s remarks, pounding on their table and attempting to interrupt his speech.
Waltz had accused Cuba’s leadership of enjoying extravagant luxuries while ordinary citizens struggled financially.
“Let’s start with Castro’s two Rolexes that he proudly wore,” Waltz said while holding up an image of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
“Two Rolexes worth $40,000 in today’s money,” he continued.
Waltz then displayed an image of current Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel wearing what he described as another Rolex.
As tensions escalated, the presiding official attempted to restore order, repeatedly instructing delegates to sit down.
“This individual needs to back away from this podium,” Waltz declared. “He’s not going to intimidate me in the United States of America.”
Global affairs analyst Olga Nesterova, who shared video of the confrontation on Bluesky, reported that the exchange erupted after the U.S. accused Cuba’s leadership of corruption, prompting a Cuban official to shout, “Liar!”
US and Cuba got into a shouting match at the UN.
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— Olga Nesterova (@onestpress.onestnetwork.com) October 27, 2026 at 1:51 PM