US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz clashed loudly with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla on Tuesday after the Cuban official charged toward the rostrum during remarks before the General Assembly hall. The confrontation erupted as Waltz discussed real estate holdings tied to Cuba’s communist regime.

Parrilla interrupted the proceedings by approaching Waltz and accusing the American envoy of lying. Waltz responded directly and forcefully, shouting, “Back up!” as United Nations officials attempted to restore order inside the hall.

The heated scene quickly became more than a routine diplomatic dispute. Rather than waiting to respond from his own place, the Cuban foreign minister moved toward the rostrum while Waltz was still speaking, turning the proceedings into a face-to-face confrontation.

Waltz did not retreat when Parrilla came toward him. With his voice raised, the US ambassador rebuked the Cuban official and connected the attempted intimidation inside the United Nations to the communist regime’s treatment of political prisoners.

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“He’s not going to intimidate me in the United States of America — like he tries to intimidate political prisoners,” Waltz said. United Nations officials were trying to regain control as the two officials exchanged words before those gathered in the general assembly hall.

The encounter began while Waltz was detailing the Cuban regime’s real estate holdings. Parrilla then accused him of lying, approached the speaking area, and drew the sharp warning from the American ambassador as the dispute broke into the open.

The episode also spread beyond the argument between Waltz and Parrilla. Video obtained by The Post showed an apparent confrontation involving Waltz spokesman J.P. Freire and another member of the Cuban delegation while Freire recorded what was taking place.

According to the video, the Cuban delegation member apparently assaulted Freire while trying to grab his iPhone. Freire had been using the device to record the confrontation involving Waltz and Parrilla on the floor of the hall.

NEW: @USAmbUN Mike Waltz just got into a shouting match on the floor of the general assembly with Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla

"He's not going to intimidate me in the United States of America, like he tries to intimidate political prisoners," Waltz said, raising his voice "Back up!" — Josh Christenson (@jchristenson_) October 27, 2026

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Members of the Cuban delegation were also recording their own videos during the disturbance. Their cameras were active as Parrilla approached Waltz while the US ambassador was still delivering his remarks, capturing a confrontation sparked in the middle of the speech.

That detail added another layer to the spectacle. Cuban representatives were recording the episode even as one delegation member apparently tried to seize the iPhone being used by Waltz’s spokesman to document the same confrontation.

The central exchange remained blunt and unmistakable. Parrilla accused Waltz of lying and advanced toward the rostrum, while Waltz ordered him to back away and refused to be intimidated as United Nations officials tried to calm the situation.

Waltz’s response focused directly on the Cuban regime’s conduct toward political prisoners. His statement contrasted Parrilla’s approach inside the United Nations with what Waltz described as the foreign minister’s efforts to intimidate political prisoners.

The shouting match unfolded openly on the floor of the General Assembly hall rather than behind closed doors. Waltz was addressing the communist regime’s real estate holdings when the Cuban foreign minister’s charge toward the rostrum abruptly interrupted the remarks.

The video obtained by The Post documented the separate confrontation around Freire’s phone. It showed another Cuban delegation member apparently going after the spokesman’s iPhone as Freire continued recording the clash between the two officials.

United Nations personnel attempted to restore order while Waltz and Parrilla faced off. The Cuban delegation continued making its own recordings, even as the attempt to grab Freire’s device created another flashpoint surrounding the already heated exchange.

Waltz remained at the center of the confrontation and delivered his warning without backing away. What began as remarks about Cuban regime real estate holdings ended with shouted accusations, an order to back up, and an apparent assault involving an American staffer’s phone.

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