A leftist Democrat sparked fierce backlash after he appeared to insist that Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s views on Cuba carried less weight because he has not visited the island. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., made the striking claim during a heated exchange with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz on Wednesday at a committee hearing.

Cuba Trip Criticism

Pocan, who has compared Cuba to a ‘silent Gaza,’ visited the communist island earlier in July, where he called for the U.S. to relent on its pressure campaign against the Cuban government, blaming U.S. sanctions for the island’s economic devastation and fuel shortages. During his questioning of Waltz, he did not address the Cuban government’s likely hoarding of resources as it maintains a firm grip over the economy or its continued access to luxuries amid economic turmoil.

Waltz asked Pocan if he visited the private island from the Castro regime or their private jet, which seems to have fuel to get back and forth. Pocan dodged the question and fired back, saying Waltz has never been to Cuba and should not give advice on where to go. Waltz replied that Marco Rubio’s entire family is from Cuba and fled the regime.

Backlash on Social Media

The exchange drew swift criticism on social media, with several conservative commentators accusing Pocan of parroting the Cuban government’s talking points. Cody Sargent, communications director for Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, wrote on social media that Americans need to see how crazy the Democrats have become. National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Marinella also criticized Pocan, saying he fails to have a functioning brain.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.