'This isn't Havana': Waltz confronts Cuban delegation during UN embargo debate

A U.N. General Assembly debate on the U.S. embargo against Cuba turned into a shouting match as U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz clashed with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla.

A U.N. General Assembly debate on the U.S. embargo against Cuba descended into a shouting match on Tuesday, when the Cuban delegation began shouting and banging desks about two and a half minutes into U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz's speech.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla approached the podium to raise points of order, and the presiding officer briefly suspended the meeting. "Back up, ambassador. Back away. This isn't Havana," Waltz told him. "This is the United Nations. This isn't your communist dictatorship."

Rodríguez interrupted several times, accusing Waltz of "lying grossly" and of "offending the dignity of the people and government" of Cuba. Waltz, who showed photos of alleged Castro family wealth, also rejected the term "blockade," saying: "A blockade is a ring of military ships around an island. It does not exist."

The nonbinding Cuban resolution calling for an end to the embargo goes to a vote Wednesday. It is the 34th time Cuba has brought the measure to the General Assembly since 1992; last year it passed 165-7, with 12 abstentions.