Ahead of the New York City mayoral election, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo launched a full-scale offensive against the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) candidate, Zoran Mamdani. After it was revealed that Mamdani owns property in Uganda, a country that is implementing extreme anti-LGBT laws, and vacationed there with his family, Cuomo strongly criticized him, stating, "Silence is violence."
According to Fox News, on the 6th (local time), Cuomo criticized Mamdani on X (formerly Twitter), saying, "The 'no-show congressman' who refused to participate in interviews while vacationing at his parents' home in Uganda, where laws that kill LGBT people are in place." He argued, "We must boycott, sell, and sanction that property owned by Mamdani until Uganda's discriminatory laws are repealed and halt all tourism expenditures."
Mamdani has gained national recognition within the DSA since being elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020, strongly pushing for radical progressive policies. A supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanction (BDS) movement against Israel and a leading figure in efforts to cut police budgets, he has garnered widespread support from the progressive camp with his pledge to make New York City a sanctuary city for LGBT individuals.
However, the recent revelations about his visit to Uganda and the issue of the family-owned property have caused a serious rift in his political image. According to the New York Post, he spent time in Uganda in June while wedding plans surrounded by armed security were underway. Criticism has arisen from both Republicans and some within the progressive camp, denouncing the 'double standard' of taking a vacation in a country that institutionalizes the repression and execution of sexual minorities.
Cuomo also brought up Mamdani's past criticisms of police. Following the death of George Floyd in 2020, Mamdani argued that police budgets should be cut from New York City's budget and that the NYPD should be dismantled. At that time, he stated, "Police are inherently oppressive, and what is needed is abolition, not fundamental reform," which stirred controversy. In response, Cuomo pointed out, "His instinctive contempt for the police is incompatible with the public office he intends to assume." This stands in contrast to Cuomo's actions recently, where he emphasized solidarity with the police during the funeral of officer Dida Rul Islam.
The Mamdani campaign has stated, "New York City should become a refuge for queer and transgender individuals," pledging to expand gender-affirming care and establish an LGBT office. However, Cuomo highlighted the disconnect between this 'superficial support' and actual actions, emphasizing that "Human rights are not a matter of the camp, but a universal principle."
Uganda passed a bill last year allowing death penalties for 'aggravated homosexuality,' and the Constitutional Court supported it, drawing intense criticism from the international community. Human rights organizations within the U.S. and the United Nations have condemned the Ugandan government.
Some in the political sphere analyze that this offensive is part of Cuomo's strategy for a political comeback. Cuomo, who resigned in 2021 due to sexual harassment allegations, has maintained political silence since then, but he is showing movements to strengthen ties with conservative and centrist voters in light of his announcement to run in the upcoming New York City mayoral election.
Fox News requested a response from Mamdani's camp, but no official reply has been received yet.