Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, got into a shouting match with Cuba’s minister of foreign affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, on the floor of the General Assembly on Tuesday.
In footage that circulated on social media, Rodríguez Parrilla is seen approaching the assembly stage as Waltz says, “This individual needs to back away from this podium. He’s not going to intimidate me in the United States of America like he tries to intimidate political prisoners.”
An official in the clip responds, “This individual is the foreign minister for the Republic of Cuba.”
Waltz responds, pounding his fist on the podium and raising his voice, “And I’m the representative for the United States of America. Back up.”
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Rodríguez Parrilla then shouts, “You are a liar.”
In a statement posted to social media, Waltz said, “The Castro regime has profited at the expense of the Cuban people with luxury cars, expensive watches and a private island resort. As I shared this with the world, regime thugs rushed the stage to interrupt my speech.”
“They can intimidate their own people in Cuba but think again about trying that nonsense in the United States of America,” he added.
Footage of Waltz’s speech shows him discussing the effects of the Castro regime.
“When Castro sent thousands of gay people, Christians, Afro-Cubans and others to concentration camps, it was the regime who stripped them of their property,” Waltz said as Cuban officials banged their hands on their desks.
“I hope everyone, Mr. President, is listening to the delegation right now,” Waltz continued.
The Cuban delegation then requested a point of order.
Khalilur Rahman, the president of the U.N. General Assembly, requested that Waltz be able to conclude his speech before allowing Cuban officials to raise their objections.
But Rodríguez Parrilla walked toward the podium as Rahman struggled to maintain decorum. As Waltz and Rodríguez Parrill continued their shouting match, Rahman announced he’d be suspending the meeting.
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