Five House Democrats, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, traveled to Brazil, Colombia, and Chile on a trip funded by the Center for Economic and Policy Research, a left-wing think tank. This funding was facilitated by a grant from George Soros’s Foundation to Promote Open Society. The purpose of the trip was to “strengthen diplomatic relations” between the House and Latin American leaders, including Colombian president Gustavo Petro, Chilean president Gabriel Boric, and advisers to Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Conservatives have criticized the trip, viewing it as an attempt by liberal lawmakers to promote a global progressive movement. Ocasio-Cortez’s remarks, in which she called on the United States to apologize for its policies in Latin America, further fueled criticism. A Wall Street Journal columnist labeled the trip a “socialist sympathy tour” due to the leftist leanings of the foreign hosts and Ocasio-Cortez’s comments.
Lula, Petro, and Boric were elected as part of a “pink wave” of socialist and left-wing leaders in Latin America. Soros, through his Open Society Foundations, has long supported left-wing civic groups in these countries and is an ally of Lula. The delegation’s discussions during the trip covered topics such as racial equality, climate change, and democracy.
The Biden administration has expressed concerns about Lula and Petro’s relations with American adversaries like China, Russia, and Venezuela. Petro, a former member of a Colombian guerrilla group, has restored ties with Venezuelan dictator Nicholás Maduro. Lula has also strengthened relations with Maduro and made comments favorable to the Kremlin. Chile’s Boric has a history of anti-Israel comments and supports the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement against Israel.
Ocasio-Cortez’s participation in this trip funded by Soros is notable given her past criticisms of billionaires. She has called for the abolition of billionaires, describing their existence as “immoral.” Despite these views, she has faced scrutiny for her own financial choices, including driving a Tesla and accepting gifts in violation of House gift rules.
