History is filled with future communist rulers who distanced themselves from socialist or communist labels—at least until they had successfully captured power.
Whether they were politicians, revolutionaries, or military figures, many understood that openly embracing communism could create international problems and complicate their efforts to govern at home.
Cuba’s Fidel Castro was among the most prominent examples. After his revolution overthrew Fulgencio Batista in 1959, Castro visited New York City and even made a highly publicized stop at Yankee Stadium.
At the time, Castro described his movement as “humanistic,” insisting, “I have said very clearly that we are not Communists.” He ultimately built a communist state and maintained an iron-fisted hold on power for 67 years and counting.
Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, a former Army officer and Castro ally, adopted a similar strategy. He initially promoted a “humanist” vision before embracing a socialist revolution and sharply confronting the United States. His successor, Nicolas Maduro, is now being held by the US on narco-terrorism charges following his capture in a January raid.
Cambodian dictator Pol Pot also concealed his communist ambitions. He organized the Communist Party of Kampuchea in secret, presenting his movement instead through anti-imperialist rhetoric and the deliberately vague term Angkar, meaning “the organization.”
After defeating a US-backed government in 1975, Pol Pot’s totalitarian regime eliminated private property and forcibly relocated civilians to rural labor camps.
In Nicaragua, Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega seized power from the Somoza dynasty and initially argued that “political pluralism and a mixed economy” would define the revolution. His Marxist-Leninist government later moved to take control of major agricultural operations and corporations.
Although even his strongest opponents have not likened him to a dictator, Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate for the US Senate in Michigan, faced questions this week about his political identity. El-Sayed, who has ties to prominent figures in the Democratic Socialists of America, described himself as a “capitalist.” His campaign also told The Post that he has said he is “not a socialist” and “has never been a member of the DSA.”