This is bad news for Cuba's government and its people, and embarrassing for the U.S., after a shouting match broke out between U.S. UN ambassador Mike Waltz and Cuba's foreign minister during a General Assembly meeting.

• Waltz and Cuban officials traded accusations at the podium, with Waltz accusing Cuba's leadership of corruption and Cuba's foreign minister firing back over Waltz's past security blunders.
• The clash comes as the U.S. tightens sanctions and blocks oil shipments to Cuba, causing major power outages and shortages of medicine and basic goods for ordinary Cubans.
• The pressure campaign follows the U.S. move against Venezuela's former leader, with officials suggesting Cuba's government could be next.
• A pro-Israel think tank has reportedly been pushing the Trump administration to keep squeezing Cuba economically and even threaten military action, partly because Cuba has long supported the Palestinian cause.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the CIA have both publicly encouraged Cubans to work with the CIA to push for change.

Outlook: Expect the U.S. to keep ratcheting up economic pressure on Cuba, with living conditions there likely to worsen before any political change occurs.