Cuban minister rages at Trump ally on UN floor

The US ambassador to the UN became involved in a shouting match with Cuba's foreign minister during a speech at the UN headquarters.

Mike Waltz, who was Donald Trump's national security adviser before taking up his post at the UN, was giving a speech detailing Cuban government officials' enriching themselves from "generations of hardworking Cubans".

"Ever since, Havana would have you believe everything in Cuba has just disappeared," he said, at which point the Cuban delegates began banging on the desks and shouting over Mr Waltz.

Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Cuba's foreign minister, approached the stage, saying that Mr Waltz's speech was "a violation of the procedural rules of this general assembly."

"This is America, my friend. This is the United Nations. This is not your communist dictatorship. You cannot silence me or you cannot silence my colleagues," Mr Waltz quipped.

Mike Waltz was Donald Trump's national security adviser before taking up his post at the UN

As Mr Parrilla continued to interrupt proceedings, arguing that Mr Waltz was breaking the rules, the US diplomat called on UN officials to restore order.

"He's not going to intimidate me in the United States of America – like he tries to intimidate political prisoners," he said.

"Do you understand who you are dealing with?" Mr Waltz said, directly addressing the Cuban delegates, who were now standing by the stage on which he was speaking. "This is America. Back up!"

The US's relationship with Cuba has been under significant strain since Mr Trump returned to the White House last year.

Mr Trump has previously called it "a failed country" and has floated a possible "friendly takeover" of the island, which has been in an economic crisis for several months.

Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Cuba's foreign minister, said that Mr Waltz's speech was 'a violation of the procedural rules of this general assembly' - Shutterstock/Olga Federova

Cuba heavily relied on fuel supplies from Venezuela, which have been blocked by the Trump administration since the US forces captured Nicolás Maduro, the Venezuelan leader, in January. Mr Maduro is in jail in New York awaiting trial on drug trafficking charges.

Last month, Mr Parrilla described the US blockade on Cuba as "economic asphyxiation" and "genocidal".

Some have speculated whether the US could launch a similarly brazen takeover of Cuba or force a change in government.

Speaking at the UN last month, Mr Trump called Cuba a "failed state", prompting the Cuban delegation to walk out.

After the remarks, Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, who is of Cuban descent and has been leading conversations with the island's officials, said the US was willing to work with leaders whose "hands are not stained with blood" towards a change in government.