Full Breakdown
CUNY Conference Sparks Controversy Over U.S.-Cuba Relations
3/29/2026, 12:57:53 AM
Conference Overview and Key Themes
On March 14-15, 2026, the City University of New York (CUNY) hosted the Action Conference for U.S.-Cuba Normalization in Midtown Manhattan. The event attracted a range of speakers, including elected officials, former members of the Black Liberation Army, and representatives from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). The conference quickly became a focal point for anti-U.S. sentiment, with speakers labeling the United States as the "No. 1 terrorist in the world" and urging attendees to "speed up" the demise of what they termed the "evil empire."
Notable Speakers and Their Messages
Among the prominent speakers was Berthony Dupont, a Haitian author, who emphasized the need for global revolution against the U.S., quoting Marxist revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara: “Create two, three, many Vietnams.” Former CUNY professor Corinna Mullin also spoke, downplaying the threats posed by the Cuban regime, which has a history of severe human rights abuses, including executions of dissenters. Mullin asserted, “The threat is the U.S. Empire itself,” reflecting a broader narrative among some attendees that positions the U.S. as the primary antagonist in global affairs.
Political Support and Controversy
Danny Valdes, co-chair of the DSA’s Cuba Solidarity Working Group, described NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani as an "ally of Cuba," despite mixed signals from the mayor regarding his stance on Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel. Critics, including investigative analyst Stu Smith, expressed concern over CUNY's role in facilitating what they viewed as an anti-American gathering. Smith remarked, “It’s mind-boggling the taxpayer-funded CUNY’s Graduate Center would provide space for such an anti-American powwow.”
Broader Implications and Criticism
The conference highlighted a growing faction within American politics that embraces anti-imperialist rhetoric. Smith noted that this trend indicates a shift in the left's ideological framework, suggesting that anti-imperialism is becoming ingrained in the American left's identity. Councilwoman Gale Brewer, who attended the conference, has been advocating for a non-binding City Council resolution to end the U.S. embargo on Cuba, although she has struggled to gain support from her colleagues.
Conflicting Perspectives and Reactions
While some attendees celebrated the Cuban Revolution and criticized U.S. policies, others pointed out the dire conditions faced by many Cubans under the current regime. The conference's sponsors included various leftist organizations, such as the Socialist Workers Party and the National Network on Cuba, which further underscores the ideological divides surrounding U.S.-Cuba relations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Washington is not strong. It is desperate. It is railing. This is the end of the Empire, and we must speed up that end in every way possible!” — Berthony Dupont, Author
- “I love Cuba!” — Gale Brewer, NYC Councilwoman
- “The American left will go there for activist vacations and just gas themselves up to do more militant organizing when they come back,” — Stu Smith, Investigative Analyst
This conference serves as a microcosm of the ongoing debate over U.S.-Cuba relations, reflecting deep ideological divides within American society regarding foreign policy and human rights.
