During a session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla and United States Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz engaged in a heated exchange over the U.S. embargo on Cuba. The confrontation began when Waltz, who had been speaking for several minutes, criticized former Cuban leader Fidel Castro and described Cuban society as “supposedly communist.” He accused Castro of sending “miles of homosexuals, Christians, Afro‑Cubans and others to concentration camps.” Waltz then warned that “imagine what happens when someone asks these questions in Havana, not in a room full of ambassadors and cameras. Imagine what happens to those people if this intimidation and disruption we see here.” During Waltz’s remarks, the Cuban delegation began striking tables and interrupted the session. Rodríguez shouted at the podium where Waltz was speaking, demanding that General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman restore order. Rahman threatened to suspend the session amid the cross‑shouting. After the threat, Rahman gave the floor to Rodríguez, who accused Waltz of “lying blatantly” and of having an “indignity” attitude. Rodríguez said Waltz was “attacking the dignity of the Cuban people and government” and added that Waltz’s performance at the United Nations and the Security Council “leaves much to be desired.” He concluded by wishing Waltz a “better future in other functions.” Waltz resumed his speech, which was again interrupted by the Cuban delegation’s table‑hitting. The General Assembly will continue to debate a resolution aimed at ending the U.S. embargo on Cuba on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Article source: El Universo | Image credit: El Universo