 "'Registered my opposition directly': Mamdani dials Trump to condemn Venezuela strikes")
Newly inaugurated Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, condemned the US operation in Venezuela on Saturday, in which Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured by the American troops. The Democratic Socialist politician described the ordeal as an “act of war” and a “violation of federal and international law.”
While speaking at a news conference, Mamdani said he had spoken to US President Donald Trump by phone to voice his opposition to the military operation. “I called the president and spoke with him directly to register my opposition to this act and to make clear that it was an opposition based on being opposed to a pursuit of regime change, to the violation of federal international law and a desire to see that be consistent every day. I registered my opposition, I made it clear, and we left it at that,” Mamdani told the reporters.
Mamdani’s remarks on the matter came shortly after Trump announced the capture of the Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro. Trump described the attack as a “large-scale strike” following months of US assaults on suspected drug vessels allegedly tied to the Venezuelan regime in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific.
Mamdani points to the potential impact on New Yorkers
In a post on X, Mamdani highlighted the potential impact of the US-Venezuela tensions on New Yorkers, especially the city’s tens of thousands of Venezuelan residents. “This blatant pursuit of regime change doesn’t just affect those abroad; it directly impacts New Yorkers, including tens of thousands of Venezuelans who call this city home,” Mamdani wrote in his post.
“My focus is their safety and the safety of every New Yorker, and my administration will continue to monitor the situation and issue relevant guidance,” he added.
Interestingly, the NYC mayor, just like Maduro, also believes in the redistribution of wealth. Mamdani has campaigned on taxing the wealthy and corporations to fund public services, while Maduro redistributed wealth through oil revenues and state control of resources.
However, it is pertinent to note that socialism in Venezuela has involved nationalisation and centralised control, contributing to economic collapse and authoritarian practice. This is different from Mamdani’s localised policy agenda focused on public housing, childcare, transit and city-owned grocery stores.
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