American and Cuban officials clashed loudly in the chamber of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday during a debate on the long-running US economic embargo, according to an Associated Press report carried by ABC News.
The exchange started as the US ambassador, Mike Waltz, argued against the annual resolution condemning the embargo and set out allegations of corruption by the Cuban government. Members of the Cuban delegation, including Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, banged on their table and called for a point of order. Rodríguez then walked towards the podium and called Waltz a liar, and Waltz told him to back up.
The confrontation reflects rising tension as the Trump administration increases economic pressure on Havana. Its threat in January of tariffs on any country supplying oil to Cuba has largely cut fuel to the island, causing widespread power cuts.
Source: ABC News
