A close associate of socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Danny Valdez, recently visited Cuba and met with President Miguel Diaz-Canel, discussing ways to undermine U.S. foreign policy, according to a travel diary that has since been removed. Valdez, who organized a fundraiser for Mamdani’s 2025 mayoral campaign, was part of a delegation from the DSA International Committee that traveled to Cuba from October 22 to October 26, 2023.
The meeting with Diaz-Canel took place on the third day of their trip. Valdez noted the goal was to collaborate on ending the U.S. embargo that has been in effect since 1962, shortly after Fidel Castro established a communist regime in Cuba.
In his reflections, Valdez expressed pride in the meeting, claiming it signified that the Cuban government viewed their delegation seriously and considered them as allies in efforts to lift the embargo.
During their discussion, Diaz-Canel criticized the U.S. blockade, lamenting that no other nation endures similar hardships. He compared Cuba’s situation unfavorably with that of Vietnam and China, which aren’t subjected to such sanctions, and can develop their own socialist ideologies.
Neither Valdez nor the rest of the delegation has faced any allegations of misconduct related to their visit. Photographs show Valdez smiling alongside the Cuban president, who is the first non-Castro leader of Cuba in over six decades since Raul Castro stepped down in 2021.
In 2026, Valdez founded “Cuban Americans for Cuba,” an organization advocating for the end of the U.S. embargo, highlighting a united mission among Cuban Americans to change U.S. policy towards Cuba.
Valdez and his colleagues enjoyed a lavish stay at the Grand Aston Havana, a luxurious five-star hotel featuring extensive amenities, including a rooftop pool. Valdez commented that their experience was far more extravagant than the usual Cuban reality, noting the stark contrast between their comfort and the struggles faced by many locals.
He remarked on one particularly striking “welcome cocktail” served at the hotel, describing it as a delightful rum-based drink. The group dined at several renowned restaurants during their trip, culminating with a meal at La Torre, which offers breathtaking views from the 33rd floor.
Despite claims of lavish living, the situation in Cuba is dire, with reports indicating that a staggering 94% of the population lives in extreme poverty and many are forced to skip meals day to day, according to a recent human rights report.
Valdez has previously attempted to run for a city council position and has reportedly consulted Mamdani on policies related to Cuba. His personal connection to the island is complex; his family fled after the Castro revolution, yet Valdez often defends the Cuban government’s actions, even acknowledging the political repression that led to his grandfather’s imprisonment.
Though he expressed a wish for a different political situation, Valdez noted, “But wishes do not make political reality,” voicing criticisms of U.S. policy that, he believes, compels Cuba to maintain a defensive stance.
He also defended the Cuban Committee for the Defense of the Revolution, a controversial group known for monitoring neighborhoods and suppressing dissent, stating that they contribute positively to community welfare, despite past harm to his family.
Throughout their trip, Valdez and the delegation met with various influential Cuban figures, including Mariela Castro, who shared experiences about her work on social issues.
Interestingly, in August, the DSA issued a statement celebrating Fidel Castro, casting him as a respected revolutionary figure while overlooking the plight of political prisoners in Cuba.
Valdez confirmed his meetings in Cuba and reiterated that both he and the DSA traveled with the intent to challenge U.S. policy and support a more favorable stance towards Cuba. Siddique did not respond to requests for comments regarding the trip.
