Older Latino populations have a negative view of Latin America's socialist governments, and it became a hot topic for Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., during the latest Democratic presidential debate on March 9.

1985 Throwback: Pro-Castro Comments

During the Univision and Washington Post debate on Wednesday night, co-moderator Maria Salinas presented and asked Sanders about a 1985 interview, which he, according to the Univision journalist, "praised" the Sandinista National Liberation Front, a socialist political party in Nicaragua and its leader Daniel Ortega and Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

Clip of Sanders' 1985 Interview:

Salinas acknowledged there are still strong feelings in South Florida against communism and socialism and asked Sanders to differentiate his view of socialism from the socialism practised in Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

"What that was about was saying that the United States was wrong to try to invade Cuba, that the United States was wrong trying to support people to overthrow the Nicaraguan government, that the United States was wrong trying to overthrow in 1954, the government -- democratically elected government of Guatemala," Sanders said in regards to the 1985 video.

The Democratic presidential candidate acknowledged that the U.S. had followed under the Monroe Doctrine to "do anything that they (the U.S.) wanted to do in Latin America." He said he went to Nicaragua and vocally opposed the Reagan administration's efforts to overthrow the country's government.

"I think the United States should be working with governments around the world, not get involved in regime change, and all of these actions, by the way, in Latin America, brought forth a lot of very strong anti-American sentiments," Sanders added. "That's what that was about."

Salinas pressed Sanders if he regrets making the characterizations of Castro and Ortega in 1985. Sanders reiterated his stance that the U.S. should not interfere in overthrowing small Latin American governments, stating such actions were mistakes in Cuba and Nicaragua.

"Look, let's look at the facts here. Cuba is, of course, an authoritarian undemocratic country, and I hope very much as soon as possible it becomes a democratic country. But on the other hand it would be wrong not to state that in Cuba they have made some good advances in health care. They are sending doctors all over the world. They have made some progress in education," said Sanders.

"I think by restoring full diplomatic relations with Cuba, it will result in significant improvements to the lives of Cubans and it will help the United States and our business community invest," he added.

Post-Debate Context

In a statement following the debate, the Sanders campaign said he was arguing against then-President Ronald Reagan's failed foreign relations policy. Sanders noted that just because Reagan may have had a negative view of a foreign leader, it does not equate that its residents felt the same way.

Sanders does support lifting the Cuban embargo and supports the Obama administration's move to renew diplomatic relations with the communist island located 90 miles south of Florida.

"I think at the end of the day, it will be a good thing for the Cuban people," said Sanders. "It will enable them, I think when they see people coming into their country from the United States, move in a more democratic direction, which is what I want to see."

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

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