The Cuban delegation abruptly walked out of the United Nations General Assembly during President Donald Trump’s speech Tuesday after he mentioned ongoing negotiations with its government.
“The communist regime is under great pressure, the biggest pressure they’ve ever been under,” Trump said. “It’s an absolutely failed state. It’s failing like never before, and it will fall.”
During the speech, Trump outlined the United States’ stance on Cuba, saying its government needed to undertake “fundamental change” and that making those changes remains a top priority of his administration.
But it was not until the president mentioned negotiations between the two countries that the Cuban delegation rushed off the floor.
Trending
“[Secretary of State] Marco Rubio is handling a negotiation. He’s deep into negotiations with Cuba. Let’s see what happens,” Trump said as the delegation walked out.
“We’ll not allow a haven for foreign adversaries to threaten America on our own doorstep,” the president continued, adding that the State Department had details on the regime’s “ties” to the Communist Party USA and the Democratic Socialists of America.
Under the Trump administration, Cuba has been subjected to increased economic pressure, including tighter sanctions, travel restrictions and measures targeting the island’s access to foreign oil.
The policies have been denounced by leaders across the world, specifically at the U.N.
Just before Trump’s speech, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took aim at the ongoing crisis Cuba is facing as a result of the draconian economic sanctions.
“In Cuba, the world watches in horror as collective punishment is imposed on 10 million people by an illegal economic and energy embargo,” Lula da Silva said.
Author
