New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio attempted to rally union workers participating in a strike at Miami International Airport by quoting Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara.
De Blasio, a Democratic candidate for president, spoke to the crowd of people Thursday, closing his comments with the rallying cry “hasta la victoria siempre,” which translates to: ever onward to victory.
“The eyes of the world are on Miami-Dade and on this airport.” -De Blasio.
Followed that up by “Hasta la victoria siempre!” (famous Che Guevara quote) pic.twitter.com/vabGaueE43
— Taylor Dolven (@taydolven) June 27, 2019
The quote is used almost exclusively in connection with Guevera, a guerrilla leader who joined Fidel and Raúl Castro to overthrow Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista in the Cuban Revolution. The revolution took place from December 1956 to January 1959.
De Blasio immediately took heat for his remark.
“In case there was any doubt about the Democrats running for President embracing socialism, @BilldeBlasio is in Miami quoting…Che Guevara. You can’t make this up,” Florida Sen. Rick Scott tweeted.
In case there was any doubt about the Democrats running for President embracing socialism, @BilldeBlasio is in Miami quoting…Che Guevara.
You can’t make this up. https://t.co/y0Z7bfKgbC
— Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) June 27, 2019
“I am utterly disgusted!” Florida state Sen. Annette Taddeo said. “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.”
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
Within a couple hours, de Blasio offered an apology, claiming he did not know he used a phrase associated with Guevara.
I only meant it as a literal message to the striking airport workers that I believed they would be victorious in their strike- BdB. (2/2)
— Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) June 27, 2019
Guevara was one of the Castros’ most trusted aides and often ordered or carried out executions of revolutionaries accused of spying. He gained power in the Castro regime, eventually overseeing several branches of the Cuban government, including its national bank.
Guevara grew disenchanted with the Castros’ socialist regime because of its dependence on Russia. In the mid-1960s, Guevara renounced his Cuban citizenship and left Cuba looking for other countries to spark revolutions.
After joining the losing side in a civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guevera fled and eventually traveled to Bolivia for another attempted revolution. After winning a few early battles, Guevara and his band of guerrilla fighters were ambushed by the Bolivian army in October 1967. Guevara and his fighters were captured or died in the battle.
