Soros-backed group funded Dems’ trip to meet left-wing foreign leaders

Liberal Billionaire George Soros’s Foundation Supports House Democrats’ Trip to Latin America

The Foundation ⁢to Promote Open ‌Society, led by liberal billionaire ⁣and philanthropist George Soros, played a significant role⁢ in funding a recent ​trip taken by House Democrats⁤ to meet with left-wing Latin American leaders. The purpose of the trip was to forge a new diplomatic relationship between the United States and Latin America.

Democratic Delegation and Trip Details

The delegation consisted of Representatives Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Greg Casar (D-TX), Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), and Joaquin Castro (D-TX). They traveled to‌ Brazil, Colombia, and Chile between August 13 and​ 21. The lawmakers‌ met with Chilean President Gabriel Boric, Colombian⁢ President Gustavo Petro, and advisers to ‌Brazilian President Luiz​ Inacio Lula da Silva.

The trip was organized by the liberal think tank Center for Economic and​ Policy Research and co-sponsored by FPOC, ‌a private foundation founded ​by George Soros in 2008. Financial disclosures filed by the lawmakers to Congress revealed the involvement of the Soros group in funding the trip.

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The Washington Examiner reported that Jack Pandol, communications director for the⁤ National Republican Congressional Committee, criticized ⁤the trip, calling it a “socialist pilgrimage masquerading as ⁤a congressional junket.” He emphasized that extreme Democrats draw their inspiration from left-wing leaders ⁢abroad rather than focusing on the greatness of ‍the United States.

Records show that the trip organizers spent tens of thousands of dollars⁤ on meals, lodging, and travel⁣ for ⁤the‌ Democrats. The Washington Free Beacon ‍reported that $6,600 was spent on Representative Frost alone. Additionally, three individuals from the Soros group joined the delegation for meetings and ⁣dinners.

During the trip, Representative Ocasio-Cortez was accompanied by her boyfriend Riley Roberts, whom she listed as her “spouse” in her disclosure. Her transportation ‌expenses of $4,955,‌ lodging expenses‍ of⁤ $1,545, and meal expenses of $813 were covered.

Last year, the respective elections⁤ of Lula,​ Petro, and Boric marked a “pink tide” of left-wing political victories. Alex Soros, George Soros’s son and‌ the newly elected president of the Open Society Foundations grant-making network, met with Lula da Silva in 2023 to advocate for issues related to the family foundation.

Wall‍ Street Journal columnist Mary Anastasia O’Grady referred to ‍the trip as Ocasio-Cortez’s “socialist sympathy tour” and criticized her comments about learning from ⁣counterparts in these countries to confront disinformation and threats to democracies.

FPOC supported‍ the trip as part of ‌its mission to foster greater interest ⁣from members of⁢ Congress in⁢ U.S-Latin America relations. The lawmakers‌ held meetings with activist groups and​ government officials in Brazil, discussing topics such as racial equality, the climate crisis, and workers’‍ rights.

In Chile, the House Democrats engaged in discussions with President Boric, including the country’s lithium industry. In Colombia, they met with President Petro to discuss the U.S.-Colombia security relationship⁣ and Colombia’s role in hemispheric foreign policy issues.

Controversies ⁢Surrounding Latin American Leaders

The three Latin American leaders have faced criticism from American lawmakers due to their radical positions and connections. Representative Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) expressed concerns about Petro’s leftist policies and their impact on ‌Colombia’s future during a‌ congressional​ hearing on ‌the country’s “descent to socialism.” Petro’s son, Nicolas Petro, was charged with alleged money laundering and illicit enrichment.

In April, Brazil’s Lula da Silva stirred controversy by ​suggesting that the U.S. was involved in stimulating the fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war and proposing that Ukraine should cede Crimea to Russia. President Boric has shown support for the⁤ Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment,⁢ and ‍Sanctions movement against Israel and has compared Israel’s treatment of ⁣Palestinians to “genocide.”

Spokespeople for Representatives Ocasio-Cortez, Frost, Casar, Velazquez, and Castro‌ did not respond to requests for comment. The Foundation to Promote Open Society also did not provide⁢ a response.

Click here to read⁢ more ⁢from the Washington Examiner.

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