Secretary of State Marco Rubio authorized the removal of a Cuban diplomat accused of shoving a member of the U.S. delegation during a heated dispute over the American embargo on Cuba.
By Lucretia Hughes
|UNITED NATIONS — The Trump administration expelled a Cuban diplomat from the United States following a confrontation with an American official at United Nations headquarters in New York, escalating tensions between Washington and Havana during an international debate over the longstanding U.S. embargo on Cuba.
The State Department confirmed Wednesday, Oct. 28, that Richard Tur de la Concepción, first secretary of Cuba’s mission to the United Nations, had departed the United States after Secretary of State Marco Rubio authorized his removal.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz accused the Cuban representative of shoving and attempting to assault an American diplomat during an encounter Tuesday, Oct. 27.
The American official involved was identified as J.P. Freire, a member of Waltz’s diplomatic team.
Cuban officials disputed the American account, maintaining that the confrontation began when Freire approached their representative while recording video.
The expulsion represents another diplomatic confrontation between the Trump administration and Cuba’s communist government.
Waltz Says Cuban Diplomat Crossed the Line
Waltz publicly addressed the incident, confirming that Rubio had authorized the Cuban diplomat’s removal.
According to Waltz, the Cuban representative physically confronted a member of the American delegation during an exchange at U.N. headquarters.
The ambassador said the diplomat had shoved and attempted to assault an American official.
The administration subsequently initiated formal diplomatic action, resulting in Tur de la Concepción’s departure from the country.
The State Department confirmed Wednesday that the diplomat had left the United States.
The decision followed a confrontation that occurred as the United Nations considered a resolution condemning the U.S. economic embargo against Cuba.
Confrontation Occurred During U.N. Embargo Debate
The incident took place Tuesday as representatives from Cuba and the United States engaged in heated exchanges over the American embargo.
The embargo, established during the Cold War, remains one of the most contentious issues in relations between the two countries.
Cuba has repeatedly called for its removal, arguing that American economic restrictions have damaged the country’s economy and contributed to shortages of essential goods.
The United States has defended its sanctions as a means of pressuring the Cuban government over political repression, human rights violations and restrictions on individual freedoms.
The U.N. General Assembly has repeatedly approved resolutions calling for an end to the embargo.
Although those resolutions carry political significance, they are not legally binding on the United States.
The confrontation involving Tur de la Concepción and Freire occurred against that diplomatic backdrop.
Cuba Disputes Allegations of Assault
Cuban officials challenged the American account of the confrontation.
According to Cuba’s version of events, Freire approached the Cuban representative while filming and entered his personal space.
The Cuban government disputed allegations that its diplomat initiated an assault.
The competing accounts highlight the disagreement over what occurred during the encounter.
While the State Department confirmed the expulsion, the available public accounts do not establish that the Cuban diplomat committed a criminal assault.
No criminal conviction has been reported in connection with the confrontation.
The Trump administration nevertheless determined that the alleged conduct warranted the diplomat’s removal.
Rubio Authorizes Expulsion
Rubio, a longtime critic of the Cuban government, has consistently supported a firm American policy toward Havana.
As secretary of state, he has emphasized opposition to communist authoritarianism and support for political freedoms in Cuba.
The decision to expel Tur de la Concepción reflects the administration’s willingness to use diplomatic measures in response to alleged misconduct involving American officials.
Under international diplomatic law, foreign representatives receive protections intended to allow them to perform their duties.
However, diplomatic immunity does not guarantee that a representative may remain in a host country indefinitely.
The United States can seek the removal of foreign diplomats under applicable international agreements and diplomatic procedures.
Because the incident involved a representative assigned to the United Nations, the expulsion also raises questions involving the United States’ responsibilities as the host country for U.N. headquarters.
Diplomatic Relations Remain Strained
Relations between Washington and Havana have remained contentious for more than six decades.
The United States severed diplomatic relations with Cuba in 1961 following Fidel Castro’s rise to power.
The American embargo subsequently became a central feature of U.S. policy toward the communist government.
Former President Barack Obama restored diplomatic relations in 2015, reopening embassies and easing certain restrictions.
President Donald Trump reversed several of those measures during his first administration, arguing that the Cuban government had failed to make meaningful improvements in human rights and political freedoms.
The Biden administration later modified some restrictions while maintaining much of the broader sanctions framework.
Since returning to the White House, Trump has continued pursuing policies aimed at pressuring Havana.
The latest diplomatic confrontation adds another dispute to an already difficult relationship.
Expulsion Sends Diplomatic Message
The removal of a foreign diplomat is a significant step in international relations.
Such actions can result in reciprocal measures, including the expulsion of American representatives from the other country.
Diplomatic expulsions can also complicate negotiations and reduce communication between governments.
In this case, the Trump administration moved quickly after the confrontation.
The State Department’s confirmation that Tur de la Concepción departed the country establishes that the administration carried out its decision rather than merely threatening diplomatic action.
Whether Cuba will respond with additional measures remains uncertain.
Administration Stands Behind American Diplomatic Personnel
The confrontation comes amid broader disagreements between the United States and Cuba over sanctions, human rights, political freedoms and regional security.
Waltz’s account portrays the incident as an unacceptable physical confrontation involving an American official.
Cuba maintains that the American representative’s conduct contributed to the dispute.
Although the governments disagree about the circumstances, the diplomatic consequences are no longer hypothetical.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio authorized the expulsion, and the State Department confirmed that the Cuban diplomat left the United States on Wednesday.
The incident underscores the continuing tensions between Washington and Havana and demonstrates how a confrontation between individual representatives can quickly escalate into a formal diplomatic dispute.
Sources: CNN, Oct. 28, 2026; The Wall Street Journal, Oct. 28, 2026; U.S. State Department confirmation; statements attributed to U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz; Cuban government response.
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