Vice President Kamala Harris was left red-faced during her visit to Puerto Rico on Friday after she was spotted clapping along to a protest song against her before realizing what it meant after an aide translated the lyrics.
After delivering remarks in the territory’s capital of San Juan, the Vice President visited the Santurce neighborhood to tour the Goyoco community center and meet community leaders.
However, a group of protesters were not happy with Harris’ visit.
The protestors held signs with messages, including “Kamala Harris war criminal” and calling the United States “genocidal” as they sang a protest song against her visit.
Harris could be seen smiling and clapping along to the protest song before abruptly dropping her hands when a staffer explained what was happening.
Watch
Kamala Harris mindlessly dances to song protesting her visit to US colony of Puerto Rico, stops clapping once her aide translates it.
— COMBATE |🇵🇷 (@upholdreality) March 23, 2024
🎵 "We want to know, Kamala, what did you come here for? We want to know what you think of the colony." pic.twitter.com/lkko4hCnW3
“We want to know, Kamala, what did you come here for? We want to know what you think of the colony,” an activist sang.
The song included the lyrics “Long live Free Palestine and Haiti too,” according to Puerto Rican journalist Istra Pacheco.
When Harris realized what the song was about, she nodded and folded her hands in front of her, in an attempt to not look stupid.
The New York Post noted that Harris’ visit came during a renewed Democratic campaign blitz targeting Latino voters, given the upcoming November US elections, although technically, Puerto Ricans don’t enjoy Electoral College votes for the presidency.
It is Harris’ first trip to the Caribbean island since entering office.
Harris also visited a home outside San Juan that had been rebuilt through a federal program following the damage from Hurricane Maria.
The Vice President also touted the Biden administration’s aid to the territory.
“What we all need to do then is just supply the community and the talent here with the capacity and the resources,” she said.
“And so, President Joe Biden and I have been very intentional about what we are doing for the leaders and the people and the families of Puerto Rico,” she added.
“So far, our administration has invested over $140 billion in Puerto Rico.”
The war has been a prominent theme for Iden and Harris throughout their trips across the US following the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Over recent months, the VP has ramped up her efforts as part of Joe Biden’s reelection campaign, championing reproductive freedom.
“We are going to win,” Harris declared later in the day at a campaign reception.
READ: Kamala Harris: ‘We Should All Be Scared’ of Trump Becoming President
