(DailyChive.com) – Two prominent progressive House Democrats, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Pramila Jayapal of Washington, came under fire this week after it was revealed they led a secret trip to Cuba last week. The undisclosed visit, aimed at discussing human rights and bilateral relations, sparked criticism from fellow lawmakers who questioned their priorities as the U.S. grapples with a worsening border crisis.
According to a spokesperson for the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) chaired by Jayapal, the delegation — which included a staffer from California Representative Barbara Lee’s office — met with people from across Cuban civil society and government officials in Havana. Notably, the trip was private and went unreported by Cuban state media despite the ongoing U.S. embargo on the communist-run nation.
Both Omar and Jayapal have long been vocal advocates for normalizing relations with Cuba and have criticized the embargo. Their stance aligns with their progressive ideology, often emphasizing diplomacy and engagement over isolation.
However, their recent Cuba visit coincides with a surge in illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border, placing immense strain on border communities and resources.
Further complicating the matter, an undocumented immigrant was recently charged with the murder of a young woman in Georgia. This tragic incident has become a rallying point for critics of the Democrats’ immigration policies, further amplifying the criticism surrounding their trip to Cuba.
Republican lawmakers, including Florida Representative Mike Waltz and New York Representative Nicole Malliotakis, were quick to express their disapproval. Rep. Waltz took to X (formerly Twitter), accusing Omar and Jayapal of seeking a “refresher course on communism.”
Echoing the same sentiment, Rep. Malliotakis, in a scathing statement, called the trip “outrageous” and urged the Democrats to focus on the plight of Cubans fleeing their homeland, many of whom risk their lives crossing the border to escape the very communist system the Democrats appeared to be engaging with.
Meanwhile, the CPC has yet to respond to requests for comments regarding the undisclosed trip and the specific details of the discussions held in Cuba.
Copyright 2024, DailyChive.com
