New York Mayoral Candidate Engages with Cuban Delegation
Say cheese, comrade!
Zoran Mamdani is currently leading the New York mayoral race, as shown in a photo alongside members of Congress. He engaged with a Communist Cuban delegation during a visit to the United Nations last year as part of a trip to Albany.
Mamdani, a state legislator from Queens, is part of the Democratic Socialist Party. This group is known for advocating an end to the U.S. blockade of Cuba in support of the communist government there.
This sentiment aligns with what many leftist politicians believe. For example, former Mayor Bill de Blasio spent his honeymoon in Cuba and has praised Nicaragua’s communist government.
On the other hand, Mamdani faces competition from independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, a former governor who has previously led a trade mission to Cuba after sanctions were loosened under former President Obama. However, the embargo itself still remains.
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, whose mother escaped Cuba’s oppressive regime, expressed her disappointment regarding Mamdani’s ties to communist figures.
“With Mr. Zoran making Karl Marx’s communist strategy part of his campaign, it makes sense for him to welcome a delegation from Cuba’s communist government,” Malliotakis remarked, representing Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn.
She added, “From the abolition of private property to government-run markets, Mr. Zoran’s proposals have wreaked havoc on lives and businesses. Just ask my mother, whose family’s livelihood was taken by the regime.”
Mamdani has voiced his stance on Cuba, including during discussions about the Cuban War. He stated, “I want to make my position clear: I believe Nicolás Maduro and Miguel Díaz Canel are both dictators.”
Despite this, he criticized the U.S. blockade and its harsh measures against Venezuela, deeming them counterproductive.
Mamdani noted, “Our federal government’s long history of punitive policies against both countries only worsens the situation.” He emphasized that “Democratic socialism is about dignity, justice, and accountability, ensuring democracy works for the people.”
Senator Jabari Brisport from Brooklyn publicly shared a photo with the Cuban delegation, asserting, “It’s hard to overstate the damage done by the U.S. blockade of Cuba. We should treat our neighbors with respect and end these unjust sanctions.”
Brisport highlighted that members of Cuba’s U.N. delegation rarely leave the vicinity of their building and needed special permissions for their visit to Albany.
A recent DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) delegation returned from Cuba, where they expressed solidarity with the Cuban populace and opposed the ongoing U.S. blockade.
In their statement, they remarked, “The resilience of the Cuban people motivates us. However, the hardships they endure are evident, from power outages to basic goods shortages. The U.S. blockade complicates daily life, especially as sanctions become harsher.”
“We return more committed than ever to support the Cuban people in their battle against the cruel U.S. blockade and in their quest for a brighter future.”
