MIAMI (AP) - The Latest on New York City mayor and presidential candidate Bill de Blasio shouting a Spanish slogan associated with Cuba’s revolution at a Miami airport workers rally (all times local):
6 p.m.
New York City mayor and presidential candidate Bill de Blasio says he didn’t realize a Spanish slogan that he shouted during a rally with Miami airport workers was associated with Cuba’s Communist revolution.
De Blasio posted his explanation on Twitter on Thursday evening, several hours after the rally at Miami International Airport.
De Blasio said during the rally, “Hasta la Victoria, siempre!” or “Until victory, always!” The phrase is most associated with revolutionary leader Che Guevara and was a rallying cry for Fidel Castro.
That drew criticism in a city heavily influenced by exiles who fled the late Castro’s rule.
De Blasio apologized on Twitter and explains he only meant it as a literal message to the striking airport workers that he believed they would be victorious in their strike.
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5:30 p.m.
New York City mayor and presidential candidate Bill de Blasio shouted a Spanish slogan associated with Cuba’s Communist revolution at a rally with Miami airport workers. That drew criticism in a city heavily influenced by exiles who fled the late Fidel Castro’s rule.
De Blasio went to Miami International Airport on Thursday to join cargo workers who are striking over what they call appalling working conditions.
De Blasio said he would stand by the workers and he shouted “Hasta la Victoria, siempre!” or “Until victory, always!” The phrase is most associated with revolutionary leader Che Guevara and was a rallying cry for Castro.
Democratic state Sen. Annette Taddeo of Florida said on Twitter she was “utterly disgusted” and that Blasio should not be quoting an infamous leftist guerrilla fighter and should quit his campaign.
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