Cuba welcomes home diplomat expelled by US after UN clash

Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Gerardo Peñalver posted photos of the diplomat’s return, accusing US officials of disruptive behavior during a General Assembly vote on the embargo.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 30 Oct 2026 19:03:30 GMT

Cuba on Friday welcomed back Richard Tur de la Concepción, a first‑secretary at its United Nations mission, after the United States expelled him following a heated confrontation at the UN General Assembly.

What happened

During a Tuesday session of the General Assembly, Tur attempted to seize a phone from a US diplomat, leading to a physical altercation. US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz announced Tur’s expulsion, which the State Department later confirmed. The incident escalated into a shouting exchange between Waltz and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez.

What the reports add

Both the Winnipeg Free Press (via the Associated Press) and The Independent reported that Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Gerardo Peñalver posted a photo of Tur at Havana’s airport, standing beside ministry officials holding a Cuban flag. The Independent added that Peñalver accused US officials of trying to disrupt a vote on a resolution condemning the US embargo on Cuba and to undermine Tur’s candidacy for a UN body. The Winnipeg Free Press focused on Peñalver’s statement that Tur had "firmly and with dignity confronted the disrespectful and provocative" behavior of the US delegation.

What was said

Gerardo Peñalver wrote on X, "We welcomed the young diplomat home," adding that Tur had "firmly and with dignity confronted the disrespectful and provocative behavior" of the US delegation (The Independent). The Associated Press quoted Peñalver similarly, noting his description of Tur’s conduct as dignified.

How it came about

The clash occurred amid rising tensions over a forthcoming UN vote on condemning the US embargo on Cuba, scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 28 (Felo coverage). Earlier in October, Cuba faced a fuel shortage linked to US sanctions (Felo coverage). The diplomatic incident reflects the broader strain between Washington and Havana, highlighted by recent US statements on Cuban waters.

Key facts

Cuba welcomed back diplomat Richard Tur de la Concepción on Oct. 30, 2026. (winnipegfreepress.com)
The US expelled Tur after he tried to take a phone from a US diplomat during a UN General Assembly session. (independent.co.uk)
Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Gerardo Peñalver posted a photo of Tur at Havana airport with ministry officials. (winnipegfreepress.com)