As thousands of demonstrators clash with federal agents in the streets of Los Angeles protesting immigration raids, the political history of Mayor Karen Bass has resurfaced in conservative media and on social networks. Critics have unearthed her connections to the Venceremos Brigade, a socialist-inspired group that operated out of the United States promoting solidarity with Cuba in the 1970s.
In 1973, Bass, then a young activist, traveled to Cuba and witnessed a speech by the dictator Fidel Castro. Decades later, in 2016, she publicly praised the deceased Cuban leader as "Comandante en Jefe," a remark that sparked immediate backlash from Cuban exiles, especially in Florida. "It was a great loss for the Cuban people," she stated at the time, though she later admitted it was a mistake to use those terms, acknowledging she had learned from it.
Conservative outlets like the Daily Mail have reignited claims that Bass was even a "leader of the Venceremos Brigade in Southern California," an organization some viewed as an extension of the communist regime on U.S. soil. "Karen Bass was trained in revolutionary warfare and subversion by brigades sponsored by the Cuban regime," wrote a user on X. Others accuse her of being a "revolutionary communist" and call for a federal investigation into her current political influence.
In 2020, when her name was suggested as a potential running mate for former President Joe Biden, various sectors of the Cuban exile community spoke out against her. Democratic Congresswoman Donna Shalala even suggested that Bass "should spend some time in Miami to understand what it means to live under a dictatorship." Other Cuban-American political leaders labeled her "neo-Marxist" and questioned her suitability for a position so close to presidential power.
Despite the criticism, a spokesperson for Bass emphasized that her aim was to foster better relations between the United States and Cuba, as part of the thawing process initiated by Barack Obama, which she actively supported by traveling to the island in 2015 and 2016.
This resurgence of Bass's past, now 71, comes amid a migration crisis fueled by ICE raids and orders from President Donald Trump, who has dispatched 2,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles to quell the disturbances. The clashes have resulted in torched vehicles, tear gas, non-lethal munitions, and a growing atmosphere of tension in Latino neighborhoods like Paramount.
Trump directly blamed Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom for failing to control the situation, labeling them as "incompetent." The mayor, however, denied that the National Guard had been officially deployed in the city and expressed gratitude for the support of the Los Angeles Police Department. Governor Newsom accused the federal government of "deliberately provoking" the population with the mass deployment of troops, warning that it would "erode public trust."
Meanwhile, Cubans in the United States, particularly those who fled communism, watch with unease as a political figure like Bass, who once openly sympathized with the Havana regime, gains prominence. Although she has tempered her positions over time, her words still carry symbolic weight for a community marked by exile and political trauma.
The protests, now extending over several days, are set to continue this Monday. As law enforcement intensifies its operations, the name of Cuba once again echoes in the ongoing debate over immigration, civil rights, and the role of local leaders in one of the most tense social crises in recent U.S. history.
Understanding the Impact of Karen Bass's Past on Current Events
Why is Karen Bass's past with the Venceremos Brigade controversial?
Karen Bass's past involvement with the Venceremos Brigade is controversial because the group was seen as promoting solidarity with the Cuban regime, which is viewed negatively by many Cuban exiles and anti-communist groups in the U.S.
How have Karen Bass's comments about Fidel Castro affected her political career?
Bass's comments praising Fidel Castro as "Comandante en Jefe" have drawn criticism from Cuban-American communities and conservatives, affecting her political image and sparking debates about her views and influence.
What role does Karen Bass play in the current immigration protests in Los Angeles?
As mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass is at the center of the immigration protests, facing criticism from federal leaders while managing the city's response to the ongoing tensions and raids by ICE.