Lyla Dejesus
Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has faced criticism for spending his honeymoon in Cuba. In 1994, de Blasio and his wife Chirlane McCray travelled to the communist country shortly after their marriage. During an appearance on ABC's The View in 2019, de Blasio was forced to defend his decision to honeymoon in Cuba, with host Ana Navarro pressing him on his support for the governments of Nicaragua and Venezuela, as well as his quoting of Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara during a rally in Miami, Florida. De Blasio denied supporting the Nicaraguan and Venezuelan governments and stated that he supported a revolution in Nicaragua to overthrow a dictator. He also praised the restoration of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba under President Barack Obama, saying that it was decades overdue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1994 |
| Position | Former New York City Mayor |
| Name of Spouse | Chirlane McCray |
| Defended His Decision | Yes |
| Defended on | ABC's The View |
| Defended By Saying | "I went on my honeymoon to a country that is part of this hemisphere and is a historically and culturally important place" |
| De Blasio's Praise for Cuba | "I thought it was beautiful. And I think this might allow – if the normalization process continues – more Americans to experience their beaches. It’s good for everyone" |
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What You'll Learn
Bill de Blasio's defence of his Cuban honeymoon
In 2019, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio was forced to defend his decision to honeymoon in Cuba during an appearance on ABC's The View. Host Ana Navarro pressed de Blasio on his choice of honeymoon destination, his support for the Nicaraguan government, and his quoting of Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara during a rally in Miami, Florida.
De Blasio initially denied the facts presented by Navarro, stating, "I don't agree with those facts." However, he eventually admitted to honeymooning in Cuba, saying, "I went on my honeymoon to a country that is part of this hemisphere and is a historically and culturally important place." He also clarified that he did not support the Nicaraguan or Venezuelan governments but only supported a revolution in Nicaragua to overthrow a dictator.
De Blasio's defence of his Cuban honeymoon sparked criticism, with some viewing his answers as shifty and evasive. His expressions of love for communism have been well-documented, and his quoting of Che Guevara, a figure considered a mass murderer by many Cuban exiles, caused particular outrage in Miami, home to the families of Guevara's victims.
Despite the controversy, de Blasio has praised restored diplomatic relations with Cuba. In 2014, he commended President Barack Obama for re-establishing diplomatic ties, expressing his belief that it would help bridge differences between the two nations and contribute positively to the democratization process in Cuba.
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De Blasio's praise for Cuban healthcare, schools and housing
Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio went to Cuba for his honeymoon in 1994. De Blasio has been criticised for his trip to Cuba, with some questioning his support for the Cuban government and its communist regime. De Blasio has also been scrutinised for quoting Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara during a rally in Miami, Florida, and for his support of the Nicaraguan government.
De Blasio has provided vague responses to questions regarding his honeymoon in Cuba and his ties to communism. When pressed by host Ana Navarro on ABC's *The View*, De Blasio defended his trip, stating that he went to a "historically and culturally important place".
De Blasio's praise for Cuban healthcare, schools, and housing aligns with the sentiments expressed by other notable figures. Here is an overview of the positive aspects of these sectors in Cuba:
Cuban Healthcare
Cuban healthcare has drawn worldwide praise for its high standards and emphasis on early intervention, disease prevention, and community-based care. Robert N. Butler, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author on ageing, noted that the Cuban system's focus on prevention and careful management of medical resources contributes to its success.
The World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization have confirmed Cuba's positive health outcomes. In 2013, Cuba's life expectancy was 78.5 years, and its infant mortality rate (IMR) in 2014 was 4.2, which is lower than the US rate of 6.1. Cuba has prioritised spending on healthcare, allocating 10% of its GDP to the sector in 2014.
The country has a network of polyclinics, which are community-based clinics that house primary care specialists. These polyclinics are well-acquainted with the communities they serve and can better address social determinants of health. Basic medical care, diagnostic tests, and medication for hospitalised patients are provided free of charge.
Cuba's approach to medical education is also unique, with medical universities integrated within the healthcare system. This model allows for a community-based teaching method, where medical and nursing students mentor and intern within primary care facilities. The Latin American School of Medicine, one of the largest medical universities in the world, is located in Cuba.
The country's commitment to ethical considerations and the responsibilities of healthcare professionals has resulted in a cost-effective, pragmatic, and sustainable public healthcare system.
Cuban Schools
While there is limited specific information available regarding De Blasio's praise for Cuban schools, it is worth noting that Cuba has made significant strides in education and literacy. Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, commended Cuba's achievements in social development, particularly highlighting education and literacy as areas of excellence.
Cuban Housing
De Blasio's specific comments on Cuban housing are not publicly known. However, it is important to note that housing in Cuba, especially in urban areas, has been influenced by the country's unique social and economic conditions. The Cuban government has implemented policies and initiatives to address housing needs, with a focus on social housing and community development.
In conclusion, De Blasio's praise for Cuban healthcare, schools, and housing reflects a broader recognition of Cuba's achievements in these sectors, particularly in comparison to other nations with similar resource constraints. While Cuba has faced criticism for its political and human rights record, its advancements in healthcare, education, and housing have drawn attention and admiration from various notable individuals and organisations.
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De Blasio's silence on Cuban political prisoners
De Blasio's trip to Cuba was illegal at the time, due to US embargos on the country. Despite this, De Blasio has never hidden his love for radical leftism and communism. However, when confronted about his trip, De Blasio provided what some sources have described as "shifty answers". When asked about his honeymoon in Cuba on ABC's *The View*, De Blasio initially denied the trip, before admitting he did honeymoon there. He defended his decision by saying:
> "I went on my honeymoon to a country that is part of this hemisphere and is a historically and culturally important place."
De Blasio's silence on the issue of Cuban political prisoners mirrors that of other politicians who have honeymooned in communist countries, such as Tim Walz and Bernie Sanders. Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential candidate in 2024, honeymooned in Communist China and has been criticised for his failure to condemn human rights abuses in the country. Sanders, meanwhile, honeymooned in the USSR in 1988 and praised the Cuban communists for their healthcare system, schools, and housing, but remained silent on the country's political prisoners.
The Cuban government has been widely criticised for its human rights abuses and denial of basic civil and political rights to its citizens. The country's prisons are described as inhumane, with political prisoners suffering additional degrading treatment and torture. Despite this, the Cuban Justice Minister, Roberto Díaz Sotolongo, has claimed that Cuba holds no political prisoners, only penalising conduct and not thought. However, numerous Cuban laws explicitly penalise the exercise of fundamental freedoms and are used to silence government critics.
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De Blasio's ties to Sandinista communists
Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has been scrutinized for his ties to the Sandinista communists in Nicaragua. De Blasio, who studied Latin American politics at Columbia University and was a Spanish speaker, became an admirer and supporter of the Sandinista National Liberation Front, the ruling socialist government in Nicaragua during the 1980s.
De Blasio's involvement with the Sandinistas began during his time at the Quixote Center in Maryland, a social justice group founded by Catholic leaders. In 1987, shortly after graduating from Columbia, de Blasio was hired as a political organizer at the center, earning $12,000 a year. While the center officially maintained a neutral stance in the Nicaraguan conflict, much of its aid went to families sympathetic to the Sandinistas. De Blasio oversaw efforts to solicit and ship millions of dollars' worth of food, clothing, and supplies to Nicaragua.
In 1988, de Blasio traveled to Nicaragua with the Quixote Center for a 10-day trip to distribute food and medicine during the Nicaraguan Revolution. He actively supported the Sandinista government, which was denounced by the Reagan administration as tyrannical and communist. De Blasio's support for the Sandinistas continued after his return to the United States. He joined the Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater New York (NSN), a group that held meetings and fundraisers for the Sandinista political party. He also subscribed to the party's newspaper, Barricada, and advocated for democratic socialism.
De Blasio's ties to the Sandinista communists have resurfaced in recent years, particularly during his 2020 presidential campaign. In 2019, he quoted Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara at a rally in Miami, Florida, offending the city's Latino community and drawing criticism from those who viewed the Sandinistas as human rights violators. De Blasio has also faced scrutiny for his 1994 honeymoon in Cuba, which was illegal at the time due to U.S. embargoes against the country. While de Blasio has downplayed his ties to communist regimes, his past associations with the Sandinistas and his admiration for communist figures have been a source of controversy throughout his political career.
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De Blasio's quoting of Che Guevara in Miami
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio faced criticism for quoting Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara during a rally in Miami, Florida, in 2021. De Blasio, who was a Democratic presidential candidate at the time, shouted the Spanish phrase "Hasta la Victoria, siempre!" or "Until victory, always," which is most associated with Guevara. The slogan also became a rallying cry for Fidel Castro.
De Blasio's comment drew swift backlash, particularly from the large Cuban exile community in South Florida, a traditionally conservative Republican voting bloc. Florida's former governor and Republican Senator Rick Scott tweeted: "In case there was any doubt about the Democrats running for President embracing socialism, @BilldeBlasio is in Miami quoting... Che Guevara."
De Blasio later apologised on Twitter, saying he did not know the phrase was associated with Guevara and that he did not mean to offend anyone. He wrote: "I only meant it as a literal message to the striking airport workers that I believed they would be victorious in their strike."
De Blasio's comment came after he was forced to defend his decision to honeymoon in Cuba during an appearance on ABC's The View. Host Ana Navarro pressed him on his choice of honeymoon destination, as well as his support for the government of Nicaragua and his quoting of Guevara in Miami. De Blasio responded by saying he did not agree with the characterisation of his actions and that he had gone to Cuba because it was "a historically and culturally important place."
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, in 1994, former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio went to Cuba for his honeymoon.
De Blasio said he did not support the Nicaraguan or Venezuelan governments and only supported a revolution in Nicaragua to overthrow a dictator. He also said, "I went on my honeymoon to a country that is part of this hemisphere and is a historically and culturally important place."
De Blasio was criticised for his honeymoon in Cuba, especially as he had previously expressed support for the Cuban government and quoted Che Guevara during a rally in Miami, Florida. He was forced to defend his choice of honeymoon destination during an appearance on ABC's The View.
