Florida Investigates Alleged Cuban and Chinese Contributions to U.S. Socialist Group

The Attorney General of Florida has launched an investigation into whether the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), a leftist political organization in the United States, received financial contributions from Cuba and China. This probe aims to uncover potential foreign funding sources that may be restricted and to ensure that the group acted transparently when requesting donations from Florida residents to support its activities.

Florida's Attorney General, James Uthmeier, revealed on Tuesday that his office had issued an investigative subpoena against the organization. The investigation is grounded in the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and state laws governing fundraising activities.

“Floridians who donate to organizations operating in our state deserve to know the origins of that money and how it is utilized,” Uthmeier stated in a video explaining the investigation's scope.

Foreign Contributions and Transparency Concerns

The investigation seeks to determine whether DSA accepted donations or support from foreign sources of concern to U.S. authorities, specifically the governments of Cuba and China. Additionally, it aims to clarify if campaigns targeting Florida donors adhered to legal transparency requirements.

A significant aspect of the investigation focuses on trips made by DSA members to these countries. Authorities are scrutinizing recent delegations to Cuba, where national leaders and the National Political Committee of DSA engaged with Cuban government officials, as well as a delegation that traveled to China.

Legal Framework and Potential Implications

Florida law, specifically section 496.415 of the state statutes, prohibits soliciting or accepting contributions from concerning foreign sources during fundraising activities regulated by this legislation. The law outlines procedures for correcting initial infractions and potential penalties for other violations. Both Cuba and China are classified as foreign countries of concern under this definition.

The subpoena aims to obtain necessary documents to assess the organization's compliance with legal requirements. Uthmeier emphasized that his office will hold accountable any breaches found during the investigation. "We will follow the facts, enforce the law, and prevent foreign adversaries from influencing Florida through the backdoor of nonprofit fundraising," he asserted.

Context of International Engagements

DSA's interactions with Cuban authorities are well-documented. In October 2025, the organization dispatched a 40-member delegation to the island. DSA's own report acknowledged that participants visited Cuban institutions and met with Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío.

The organization operates a fundraising mechanism called the Venceremos Fund, dedicated to financing international delegations, visits by foreign organizers to the U.S., and humanitarian aid projects. These activities have sparked controversy in the United States, particularly after details emerged of a DSA delegation meeting with Miguel Díaz-Canel in Havana in 2023, including Danny Valdez, a political aide to New York City's mayor, Zohran Mamdani.

Inquiries into the organization's activities heightened after a New York Post investigation revealed that Valdez's delegation stayed in luxury hotels and dined in exclusive restaurants, contrasting starkly with the economic hardships faced by ordinary Cubans. This revelation led to calls for further investigation.

Broader U.S. Scrutiny on Cuban Relations

Scrutiny of U.S. organizations maintaining ties with Havana intensified months earlier. In May, a Fox News investigation disclosed that the Justice and Treasury Departments were examining the activities of 145 U.S. nonprofits perceived as sympathetic to the Cuban government, with combined revenues estimated at approximately $1 billion annually.

The investigation aimed to determine if any of these entities coordinated political activities with Cuban officials without adhering to the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) requirements. Notable groups mentioned included CODEPINK, The People's Forum, BreakThrough News, ANSWER Coalition, Party for Socialism and Liberation, and Tricontinental.

In July, the State Department issued a report detailing nearly seven decades of alleged espionage, political influence, and subversion attributed to the Cuban regime. The document, presented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, claimed that Havana has historically leveraged international organizations to advance its interests and exert influence in the U.S.

DSA was explicitly named among organizations that, according to Washington's interpretation, maintain political connections with the Cuban regime. The report highlighted their leaders' travels to Havana and meetings with government representatives as part of a relationship warranting attention.

In response, DSA denied these accusations in a statement released on August 10, asserting that their activities reflect democratic decisions made by their members, not directives from the Cuban government. They also defended their right to engage in international contacts and campaigns against U.S. economic sanctions on Cuba.