New York Mayor Bill de Blasio found himself in hot water Thursday after Miami Democrats slammed the presidential candidate for quoting the notorious Argentine revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara during a union protest at Miami International Airport.
“Hasta la victoria siempre…”
Says Bill De Blasio in *Miami* pic.twitter.com/fAc2Wds5YD— liz roldan (@lizroldancbs4) June 27, 2019
De Blasio, fresh off the debate stage from Wednesday night, rattled off Che’s most famous quote when he rallied with workers who protested over substandard work conditions and pay.
I am utterly disgusted! Both @JoseJavierJJR and I left before @BilldeBlasio spoke. This is completely unacceptable! How can anyone wanting to be the leader of the free world quote a murderous guerrilla -in Miami no less! A community filled with his victims! #DeleteYourCampaign https://t.co/deDoNPFZxm
— Annette Taddeo (She/Her) (@Annette_Taddeo) June 27, 2019
“The eyes of the world are on this airport, the eyes of the world are on Miami-Dade,” de Blasio told the crowd before stating a quote from one of the most loathed figures in the Cuban community in Miami.
“Hasta la victoria, siempre,” de Blasio blurted out to the crowd. The phrase translates essentially to “Ever on to victory!” — was a mantra for Guevara, a top lieutenant of Fidel Castro.
Miami Democrats called on de Blasio to apologize The Miami Herald reported.
Florida Democratic State Sen. Annette Joan Taddeo-Goldstein, who was in attendance at the rally, immediately blasted de Blasio on twitter saying, “This is completely unacceptable! How can anyone wanting to be the leader of the free world quote a murderous guerrilla -in Miami no less! A community filled with his victims!”
Others who attended the rally demanded de Blasio apologize for his remarks as well.
Neither @Annette_Taddeo nor I were present when @BilldeBlasio spoke, didn't speak w him & only learn of this now. Quoting a murderer responsible for death & oppression in communist Cuba and throughout Latin America is not acceptable. Please apologize. Many on strike are Cuban btw https://t.co/sqxdkHQizV
— José Javier Rodríguez (@JoseJavierJJR) June 27, 2019
The Miami Herald notes that Raul Castro said the same phrase on Cuban TV when he announced his older brother passed away.
Despite his murderous background, following his execution in Bolivia, Guevara went on to become a martyr and pop culture icon by left wing radicals in the United States.
The Picket Line:
Mayor de Blasio has been an insulated liberal politician for years in New York City. Quoting Che comes naturally to him, especially when he is in protest mode, so it is hardly a surprise that he blurted it out in Miami during a labor demonstration.
**UPDATE** Following the uproar over his remarks, de Blasio issued an apology on twitter claiming he did not know the phrase was associated to Guevera.
I did not know the phrase I used in Miami today was associated with Che Guevara & I did not mean to offend anyone who heard it that way. I certainly apologize for not understanding that history. (1/2)
— Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) June 27, 2019
