Cuban boxer Yordenis Ugás voiced strong criticism on Wednesday against a billboard in Miami that displays the image of former President Donald Trump opposite that of the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro, with the message "No to dictators, no to Trump."
On the social media platform Facebook, the former professional world champion questioned: “How can this happen in our city, in our community? I have never seen a public photo of any dictator from anywhere in the world. How can you put that photo and that absurd comparison in the place where the majority of those who have escaped that hell, seeking freedom and prosperity, live?”
“If someone had told me this, I would have said it was a lie. Seeing it, I still find it hard to believe. I hope that billboard is no longer there. How can you compare a democratically elected former American president with a dictator, murderer, manipulator, and evil person who wouldn't pay for all the hunger, damage, and pain he caused us as Cubans and as a country even with 100 lives,” Ugás continued.
The boxer also made a comparison: “It’s like putting up a billboard in the middle of New York, which is full of Jews, comparing Trump to Hitler. That would never happen. Do you know why? Because the Jewish community is respected, but more importantly, they demand respect. Unbelievable.”
Political Tensions in Miami
Ugás, an Olympic bronze medalist in Beijing 2008, is known for his fight against the Cuban regime. Recently, he claimed that the legal process against Trump was politicized and its outcome breaks the history of the United States.
In the midst of the campaign period for the upcoming U.S. presidential elections in November, the billboard, located on the Palmetto Expressway at 6th Avenue, was funded by Mad Dog PAC and has sparked significant controversy.
The political action committee (PAC) was founded by Democrat Claude Taylor, who worked in the White House during the administration of Bill Clinton.
The comparison has outraged Trump supporters, who argue that it is inappropriate to equate the former Republican president with the communist dictator Fidel Castro. They point out that, unlike Castro who came to power through armed struggle, Trump was democratically elected by the citizens of the United States.
Additionally, the billboard appears at a crucial moment, as the elections are just around the corner, with Trump facing off once again against Democratic President Joe Biden. This type of advertisement only serves to increase tensions between the supporters of both candidates.
The controversy highlights the deep political divisions in the United States, particularly in places like Miami, which has a significant population of Cuban exiles and their descendants, who hold strong opinions about the Cuban regime and its legacy.
This billboard is a reminder of the fervor with which politics is lived in South Florida, where advertising messages can ignite debates and provoke passionate reactions in a highly politicized community.
Impact of the Controversial Billboard in Miami
The presence of the billboard featuring Donald Trump and Fidel Castro has raised many questions. Here, we address some of the most common inquiries related to this issue.
Why is the billboard considered controversial?
The billboard is controversial because it compares a democratically elected former U.S. president, Donald Trump, with the communist dictator Fidel Castro, which many, especially Cuban exiles, find deeply offensive.
Who funded the billboard featuring Trump and Castro?
The billboard was funded by Mad Dog PAC, a political action committee founded by Democrat Claude Taylor, who previously worked in the White House during Bill Clinton's administration.
What has been the reaction of Trump's supporters to the billboard?
Trump's supporters have been outraged by the comparison, arguing that it is inappropriate and offensive to equate Trump with Fidel Castro. They highlight the stark differences in how both came to power.