Danny Valdez, an aide and political ally of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, traveled to Cuba as part of a U.S. socialist delegation that met with high-ranking regime officials, including Miguel Díaz-Canel, between October 22 and 26, 2023. Details of the visit emerged from an investigation published by the New York Post, which examined a travel diary written by Valdez titled The Cuba Diaries
before it was removed from the internet.
Luxury Accommodations and Contrast with Local Hardship
Valdez acknowledged a sharp contrast between these privileges and the conditions faced by ordinary residents in Cuba, where he observed poverty and deteriorated buildings. The report noted that neither Valdez nor other participants have been accused of any crimes related to the visit, as U.S. rules distinguish between authorized travel and tourist activities. Valdez recounted that the group traveled in a large air-conditioned bus, had unlimited access to food and water, and stayed in modern facilities with amenities largely unavailable to local residents, describing their hotel as elegant and modern with a rooftop pool, a gym, and a full bar at their disposal. Valdez noted that the hotel maintained abundant food supplies while he witnessed poverty and damaged buildings resembling bombed structures outside.
Meetings With Officials and Political Objectives
The delegation’s primary goal was to seek support for ending the U.S. embargo against Cuba. On the third day of the visit, the group met with Díaz-Canel, an encounter Valdez characterized as a major political achievement that signaled the Cuban government viewed their organization as a potential partner in the effort to terminate U.S. sanctions. During the meeting, Díaz-Canel shared criticisms of Washington’s policies, arguing that U.S. sanctions created obstacles for the country’s economic development, and stated that no other nation has to function under such conditions. The trip was organized by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) International Committee, with participants including national co-chair Ashik Siddique.
Valdez stated previously that he advised Mamdani on Cuba policy during his mayoral campaign and organized a fundraiser for him in 2025. In April 2026, he founded the non-profit group Cuban Americans for Cuba to advocate for lifting the embargo. The New York Post reported that Valdez criticized U.S. policy toward Cuba while also acknowledging political repression by the Cuban regime, which included the imprisonment of his grandfather.
Details of Role and Travel Financing Remain Unspecified
While the reports establish Valdez’s involvement and his proximity to Mayor Mamdani, the exact nature of whether he currently holds a formal or informal administrative role remains unspecified. Further details concerning the complete text of the recovered travel diary, the exact financing of the 2023 delegation trip, and official responses from the mayor’s office regarding the extent of the political ties are not yet fully documented.
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