Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s Controversial Views on Venezuela
Mayor Zoran Mamdani has previously advocated for the lifting of U.S. sanctions against Venezuela, holding the country partly accountable for the local migrant situation.
While serving as a state legislator, Mamdani endorsed a 2023 statement from the Democratic Socialist Party of America’s city chapter concerning the increasing number of migrants at the southern border.
“A lot of these new arrivals are being forced out due to destabilizing economic policies from the U.S. establishment, influenced by factors like the climate crisis and foreign interventions in places such as Venezuela, Cuba, and Guatemala,” the statement said on September 18. This was backed by U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and around 20 other state politicians.
The statement urged the U.S. government to lift the sanctions imposed on Venezuela since 2017, labeled as “Rubio-Trump” sanctions.
“Root causes of economic instability, which have driven thousands to leave their homes and seek refuge here, stem from U.S. foreign policy, including sanctions, exploitative trade agreements, and political meddling,” it continued.
Furthermore, Mamdani stated that removing sanctions on Venezuela could lead to improvements in the economic landscape that contribute to this instability and displacement.
Several remarks in the statement criticized the handling of tens of thousands of asylum seekers by former Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul.
Mamdani reportedly reached out to President Trump, expressing his discontent regarding the government’s actions against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a military operation.
“Unilateral attacks on sovereign nations amount to acts of war and violate both federal and international laws,” Mamdani commented.
“This blatant pursuit of regime change doesn’t just impact those overseas; it influences New Yorkers directly, including the many Venezuelans who reside in this city. My priority is their safety and that of all New Yorkers; my administration will continue to assess the situation and provide necessary guidance.”
Mamdani’s interest in Venezuela dates back to 2013 when he suggested that Venezuelans should serve as observers in contested elections in Zimbabwe. According to his X feed, he remarked on the situation with some disbelief.
“Horrifying!! The #Zimbabwe government has barred Western countries, inviting monitors from Venezuela, China, Ethiopia, Sudan, Cuba, and Belarus,” African journalist Rosebell Kagumire noted.
At the time, Mamdani, then a student at Bowdoin College, defended Venezuela’s role, questioning criticisms about their ability as observers.
“Venezuela’s electoral procedures aren’t that poor, so why the disapproval?” he stated back in July 2013.
Kagumire responded by advocating for the release of imprisoned Ugandan journalists with the hashtag #FreeUgandaJournos.
Meanwhile, Mamdani remained resolute in his belief that Venezuelan officials could effectively oversee elections.
“My concern isn’t about Venezuela being problematic; rather, their involvement can address the issues,” he asserted.
On the other hand, President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have pointed to the Maduro regime’s actions as the catalyst behind Venezuela’s turmoil, labeling the socialist leader as a drug trafficker and defending his arrest.
