Fidel Castro's Longest Speech at UN General Assembly 1960

Fidel Castro delivered the longest speech in UN General Assembly history on 26 September 1960.

• Categories: News & Features / Features / Stories from the UN Archive
• Video Length: 00:02:20
• Production Date: 2 November 2023
• Asset Language: English
• Personal Subject: FIDEL CASTRO RUZ
• Corporate Name: GENERAL ASSEMBLY
• Subject Topical: HISTORY; AUDIOVISUAL ARCHIVES
• Geographic Subject: CUBA
• MAMS Id: 3134698
• Parent Id: 3134698
• Alternate Title: UNV_3134698

Description

The United Nations General Assembly requests that delegates limit their addresses to 15 minutes. On 26 September 1960, Fidel Castro of Cuba remained on the rostrum for 269 minutes, making his address the longest timed speech in General Assembly history. 

Delivered just one year after the Cuban Revolution that led to the overthrow of the U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista, Castro used his time on the rostrum to criticize U.S. imperialism and its interference in Latin American affairs and to accuse the United States of supporting authoritarian regimes in the region. 

Utilizing material from the UN Audiovisual Library, this production offers a unique view into pivotal moments of this historic event.