"Pity:" US Amb. Huckabee Lashes Out at Mamdani Over Maduro Op

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Saturday sharply criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani after Mamdani condemned the U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

In a caustic post on X, Huckabee accused Mamdani of siding with a criminal regime over his own constituents. “I pity ppl of NY for electing a mayor who sides with a drug trafficker & ally of Iran & Hezbollah rather than his constituents,” Huckabee wrote, adding sarcastically, “Will he & Sen. Van Hollen go to Maduro’s jail cell to sip margaritas for solidarity?”

Mamdani had earlier spoken out against the U.S. operation, calling it “an act of war and a violation of federal and international law.” He said he had been briefed on the capture of Maduro and his wife and their planned transfer to federal custody in New York, and warned that the move could have consequences at home.

“This blatant pursuit of regime change doesn’t just affect those abroad,” Mamdani said. “It directly impacts New Yorkers, including tens of thousands of Venezuelans who call this city home.” He added that his administration was focused on public safety and monitoring developments.

The exchange underscored the growing political fallout from the dramatic U.S. intervention in Venezuela, with the operation drawing praise from Trump administration allies and fierce criticism from progressive Democrats. Huckabee’s remarks also reflected broader administration messaging framing Maduro as a narco-trafficker aligned with Iran and Hezbollah, a characterization U.S. officials have repeatedly used to justify the operation.

Mamdani has not responded directly to Huckabee’s comments, but his criticism places him among a small group of U.S. elected officials openly opposing the administration’s actions as events continue to unfold.