Waltz Rebuts Cuba's 'Act of War' Claim at UN as 10 Million Face Blackout
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 7
Waltz Rebuts Cuba's 'Act of War' Claim at UN as 10 Million Face Blackout
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 7
Summary
Mike Waltz told the U.N. General Assembly the United States "will not be silenced" after Cuba accused Washington of waging an "act of war" by restricting fuel shipments and delegates repeatedly banged desks to interrupt him.
Nearly 10 million Cubans were left without power after the national grid collapsed a day earlier—the third nationwide failure this year and eighth since October 2025—fueling Havana's charge that U.S. pressure caused an energy collapse.
Waltz rejected any "naval blockade" claim as "fake" and blamed Cuba's communist government for blackouts, repression and economic ruin, while holding up photos of jailed dissidents and citing more than $100 million in U.S. aid this year.
Jeffrey Bartos separately tried to block the three-hour session, saying it would cost about $84,000 that could instead buy food, medical supplies and solar lanterns for Cuban families.
The clash underscored the core dispute over Cuba's power crisis: Havana blames U.S. restrictions and fuel shortages, while Washington points to aging infrastructure, corruption and state control.
As Cuba's lights go out, will the world blame the U.S. embargo or decades of communist mismanagement?
Is the $100 million U.S. aid offer a true humanitarian gesture or a political tool to force change in Cuba?
Can Cuba's sweeping free-market reforms succeed while the U.S. 'maximum pressure' campaign targets its economy?
Blackouts and Blockades: The 2026 Cuban Crisis, U.S. Sanctions, and the Humanitarian Toll
Overview
On July 6, 2026, Cuba experienced a nationwide blackout that brought daily life to a halt, with only a third of Havana regaining unreliable power by the next day. This crisis was the latest escalation in Cuba’s ongoing struggles, which have pushed the country closer to collapse. The blackout affected the entire National Electric Power System, leaving citizens without essential services like electricity and internet. The Cuban government blamed the U.S. blockade and sanctions for the crisis, highlighting how external pressures have deepened the country’s vulnerabilities and disrupted the lives of millions.