The Cuban boxer Yordenis Ugás stirred up social media on Tuesday with a bold statement on X, criticizing both Democrats and Republicans for their associations with socialism and authoritarian regimes. His post further cements his stance as a vocal critic of the U.S. political landscape.
"Who are the communists in the United States right now?" the former WBA welterweight world champion questioned. His conclusion was twofold: "Democrats are pushing socialists and far-left radicals into elections, while Republicans, or more specifically this president, are engaging in direct dealings with socialists and tyrants around the world. Unbelievable."
This message follows just three days after Ugás condemned a new oil deal between the U.S. and Russia, announced on October 9. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the Treasury issued General License 135, allowing the import of over 4.8 million tons of Russian diesel into the U.S. until April 2027.
On that occasion, Ugás directly accused President Donald Trump of siding with Russia and contributing resources to fund the war against Ukraine, aligning his views with those of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several Republican lawmakers who opposed the deal.
His latest tweet elevates the critique to a broader level, questioning the entire bipartisan system rather than just a specific agreement. Ugás's moral consistency—calling out what he sees as wrong, regardless of political affiliation—remains a hallmark of his activism.
In November 2024, Ugás urged Cuban unity beyond party lines to support political prisoners, appealing for Democrats and Republicans to set aside differences for a common cause. By August 2026, he declared he wouldn't give any politician a "blank check" and has never publicly endorsed any specific candidate. That same month, he advocated for anonymous political prisoners in Cuba, warning that focusing only on popular figures "for fashion" undermines the broader cause of all those imprisoned.
Ugás's activism extends into the symbolic realm of boxing. In his June 2026 match in Hermosillo, Mexico, he wore clothing bearing the names of lesser-known political prisoners, including Ángel Jesús Veliz Marcano, Lirandis Góngora, and Amalia Álvarez, among others.
The energy deal between Trump and Putin, which ignited this latest wave of criticism, also clashes with a sanctions law passed by the Senate on August 7, 2026, with 86 votes in favor and 11 against, aimed specifically at curbing Russia's energy revenue.
Meanwhile, the cause Ugás champions relentlessly continues: Prisoners Defenders reported 1,327 political prisoners in Cuba by the end of July 2026, marking the highest number recorded to date.
Yordenis Ugás's Critique of U.S. Political Ties
Why did Yordenis Ugás criticize both U.S. political parties?
Yordenis Ugás criticized both Democrats and Republicans for their connections with socialism and authoritarian regimes, highlighting his disapproval of the U.S. political system's engagement with such entities.
What recent U.S.-Russia agreement did Ugás oppose?
Ugás opposed the U.S.-Russia oil agreement announced on October 9, which allowed the import of over 4.8 million tons of Russian diesel into the U.S. until April 2027.
How does Ugás's activism extend beyond social media?
Ugás's activism extends into the boxing ring, where he has worn clothing featuring the names of lesser-known political prisoners, highlighting their plight during matches.