Full Breakdown
U.S. Expels Cuban Diplomat After UN General Assembly Altercation
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
The Expulsion Decision
On October 27, a physical confrontation erupted in the United Nations General Assembly hall when Cuban officials interrupted U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz during his remarks on the U.S. embargo. The United States responded by ordering the removal of a Cuban diplomat. Waltz said Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed the expulsion paperwork, and the diplomat must depart the United States within 24 hours. The order was communicated to the Cuban mission the same day.
02
Background to the UN Clash
Tensions between Washington and Havana have risen as the United Nations prepares to vote on a resolution calling for an end to the decades-old U.S. trade embargo on October 28. During the debate, Cuba’s foreign minister Bruno Rodríguez (also reported as Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla) accused Waltz of lying, prompting a heated exchange that escalated into a scuffle. Cuban media identified the expelled official as Richard Tur de la Concepción, First Secretary of Cuba’s Permanent Mission to the UN, who allegedly seized a U.S. staffer’s phone before pushing it away. The Cuban foreign ministry has not issued a public comment on the expulsion.
Visual evidence
Images from the story
03
Official Statements & Responses
- Mike Waltz told a U.S. television audience that the Cuban diplomat “shoved and tried to assault” an American official and confirmed Rubio’s signature on the expulsion order.
- Marco Rubio has not released a separate statement; his signature was cited by Waltz as the legal basis for the action.
- Bruno Rodríguez interrupted Waltz’s speech, accusing the United States of spreading falsehoods about the embargo.
- The Cuban foreign ministry declined to comment on the expulsion itself.
04
Verbatim Quotes
- “He is going to be on a plane to Havana within the next 24 hours.” — Mike Waltz, US ambassador
- “They blame the blockade, which doesn’t exist. By the way, that would be a ring of navy ships that doesn’t allow anything in or out. It’s an absolute lie.” — Mike Waltz, US ambassador
05
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources note that accounts differ on the extent of physical contact. The U.S. side describes a shove and an attempted assault, while Cuban officials frame the episode as a “propaganda platform” dispute. No independent video analysis has been released, and the identity of the expelled diplomat was not confirmed by U.S. officials. It remains unclear whether the diplomat had already left the United States at the time of reporting.
06
What’s Next
The United Nations General Assembly will vote on the embargo-ending resolution on October 28, the same day the expulsion order was issued. Analysts suggest Cuba could respond with a reciprocal expulsion of a U.S. diplomat, a customary diplomatic retaliation in similar disputes. No further official statements from either government have been issued regarding follow-up actions.