News · International
Florida's attorney general subpoenas the Democratic Socialists of America over alleged Cuban and Chinese funding
James Uthmeier announced on November 10 an investigative subpoena against the Democratic Socialists of America to determine whether the organisation received contributions or support from the governments of Cuba and China and whether its fundraising among Florida donors was transparent and lawful.
The subpoena rests on Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and on state rules governing the solicitation of funds from local donors. «We are examining whether DSA accepted contributions or support from foreign sources of concern, including the regimes of Cuba and China, and whether its fundraising among Florida donors was fully transparent and lawful», the attorney general said.
The investigation centres on two international delegations. The first, of some 40 leaders and members, including the two national co-chairs, travelled to Cuba for five days in October 2025: it toured schools and hospitals, brought educational and medical supplies and met Cuba's deputy foreign minister, Carlos Fernández de Cossío. The second, of five members, travelled to China in September 2025 for commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Asia.
Prosecutors are also examining the «Venceremos Fund», created in January 2026 by a member of the organisation's National Political Committee to finance international delegations. Solicitations linked to DSA chapters in Florida are said to have sought tens of thousands of dollars to cover the cost of those trips and related activities.
The action rests on state law SB 700, in force since July 1, 2025, which bars non-profit organisations registered in Florida from accepting contributions from countries deemed «of concern», a category that includes Cuba, China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and Syria. Breaches can carry fines of up to 10,000 dollars and the cancellation of the registration needed to raise funds in the state.
A national DSA spokesperson answered the subpoena with a single sentence: «We have no comment at this time.» The organisation, founded in 1982 and headquartered in New York, says it has more than 100,000 members across the 50 states and does not operate as a political party.
The subpoena comes a week after November 3, when DSA-backed Democratic candidate Ashley Herrmann defeated Republican Danny Alvarez in District 69 of the Florida House of Representatives with 51.7% of the vote. A State Department report released in July cited the organisation as an example of Cuban ideological influence in the United States, according to Martí Noticias, an outlet funded by the US government.
Sources: CiberCuba · Martí Noticias · Diario de Cuba
Data updated: 2026-11-11T04:15:00.000Z