What Cubans Think About Zohran Mamdani

New York City has a new mayor — Zohran Mamdani — and everyone 's talking about it. But how do people thousands of miles away in Cuba see this political moment?  

We asked Cubans what they know about the election and how U.S. politics echo across the Caribbean.

TRANSCRIPT

“This week, New York City elected a new mayor — Zohran Mamdani — and everyone’s talking about it,” said the reporter, Liz Oliva Fernández. “But what do Cubans know about these elections? Let’s find out.”

“Do you know what happened in New York City on Tuesday?” Oliva asked.

“Yes, it was the election,” replied one man. “I think the Democrats won.”

Another woman added, “Yes, of course. I think very few people don’t know what happened. I know that Candidate Mamdani won the election. He has socialist policies and quite a lot of popular support.”

“He won — the one Trump didn’t want,” said another respondent with a laugh. “There were elections, and a Muslim won.”

“I think the fact that he’s someone of Muslim descent helps a lot in combating homophobia,” said a young man interviewed in Havana.

“A socialist, a Democrat, a Muslim, an immigrant won,” another person emphasized. “He’s going to represent a change for the entire city of New York and for the United States.”

“A mayor with a different perspective and a more socialist outlook has been elected,” commented one interviewee. “And Trump must be very upset.”

“He has policies that advocate tax increases to guarantee social measures,” explained another. “This man, who has progressive ideals, I think, is going to bring a bit of controversy.”

Oliva Fernández continued, “Why do you think Cubans care about or follow the news of what’s happening in the United States?”

“Because they’re our closest neighbors,” said an older man. “And because of all the confrontations they’ve had with us over the years.”

“Millions of Cubans are currently living in the United States,” another respondent stated. 

“It’s essential to know U.S. policy — what’s being cooked up, what battles are being fought — in order to understand things better, since those policies complement each other and also have an impact on our country.”

“It could be a new stance on immigrants and bring about positive change,” added a young woman thoughtfully. “Even policies toward Cuba. But I wouldn’t really venture to say it’s a sure change for the future. 

We have to wait, because other Democrats have raised our expectations before — and they’ve been completely deflated.”

The reporter then asked, “And do you think these elections bode well for the future?”

“I can’t say,” one interviewee replied. “It’s like predicting the future with a crystal ball. You never know.”

“I think that, first and foremost, it gives hope,” another said. “That the American people can aspire to something beyond Donald Trump’s policies.”

“And since the United States is a driver of international politics,” a respondent concluded, “it can also send a message to the world — that there’s another way of looking at politics, and that it’s possible to aspire to more radical changes that lean more to the left.”