Zohran Mamdani, a groundbreaking state assemblyman and the first Muslim to secure the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor, has committed to prioritizing the defense of the immigrant community against potential raids and oppressive policies if elected. In a discussion with Telemundo, the 33-year-old politician of Ugandan and Indian descent warned of the "inevitable" efforts by Trump to deploy the National Guard in New York to target undocumented individuals. However, Mamdani emphasized that he views immigrants as integral to the city's fabric, not as outsiders.
"When we talk about immigrants in our city, we're still talking about New Yorkers," Mamdani stressed, as reported by journalist Damián Bonmatí. Mamdani expressed pride in potentially becoming the first immigrant mayor in generations. His campaign gained attention when he released a video entirely in Spanish, despite not being fluent.
"This is something many immigrants share," he said with a laugh, explaining that he recorded it at the request of supporters' "grandmothers" and pledged to do so again before the elections. Mamdani also revealed that threats against him have escalated since the murder of an activist in the city, prompting his team to enhance security measures. Nevertheless, he vowed to continue advocating for social justice and connect with Latino communities.
A Critical View on Cuba and Venezuela
One of the most delicate moments of the interview arose when Mamdani was asked if he considers Cuba and Venezuela to be authoritarian regimes. While he previously avoided a direct answer, he was unequivocal this time: "My critique and description arise from the imprisonment of political dissidents, repression of the free press, and the increasing absence of dignity in people's lives," he told Telemundo. With this statement, the socialist democrat distanced himself from governments like Cuba's, aiming to resonate with Latino voters, including the sizable Cuban community closely monitoring U.S. local and national politics.
A Race with a Latino Flavor
The race for New York City's mayor is distinctly influenced by immigrant perspectives. Mamdani leads the polls with progressive proposals such as free public transportation and rent freezes. Meanwhile, one of his main opponents, Cuban-American businessman Joseph Hernández, has launched an independent campaign promising "order and security" and cautioning against the "advance of communism."
The rivalry between the two not only highlights New York's diversity but also underscores the clash of visions that mobilize millions of immigrants, including the Cuban diaspora. This group closely watches as immigration, social justice, and Cuba become central issues in the mayoral election of the United States' largest city.
Key Issues in the New York Mayoral Race
What are Zohran Mamdani's main priorities if elected as mayor?
Zohran Mamdani's primary focus will be on protecting the immigrant community from potential raids and oppressive policies, as well as implementing progressive measures like free public transportation and rent freezes.
How does Mamdani view the governments of Cuba and Venezuela?
Mamdani criticizes these governments for imprisoning political dissidents, repressing the free press, and diminishing dignity in people's lives, positioning himself apart from such regimes.
Who is Mamdani's main opponent in the mayoral race?
His primary rival is Joseph Hernández, a Cuban-American businessman running independently, focusing on "order and security" and warning against the spread of communism.