Consequences of Sanctuary Cities Come Home to Roost
PATRIOT SALE: 74% Off VIP Memberships! Celebrate American Greatness!
The Left Hates America. Help Us Celebrate It.
Are US Forces Assisting in the Defense of Israel?
Why Trump Is Not Happy With This Republican Congressman
President Trump Understands Information Warfare
About That Judge Who Tried to Strip Trump's Commander-in-Chief Powers Last Night...
Appeal Court on Judge's Anti-Trump Ruling on National Guard: What the Hell...
Iran Strikes Back After Israeli Airstrikes on Nuclear Facilities
Four Illegal Immigrants Escape From ICE Facility Amid Unrest
Behind the Organization Suspected of Funding the LA Riots
This California Hospital Will Stop Transitioning Kids
Democrat Sen. Chris Murphy Had Quite the Awful Takes on Israel's Attack on...
GOP Senator Owns Jake Tapper About the So-Called ‘Maryland Man’
Maxine Waters Sounds Like She May Be Changing Her Tune on Violence in...
Tipsheet

Bernie Sanders Doubles Down on His Praise for Some of Fidel Castro's Policies

AP Photo/Chris Carlson

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) stood by the comments he made in a "60 Minutes" interview that aired on Sunday about Fidel Castro's regime in Cuba during his CNN town hall on Monday.

Advertisement

Sanders told Anderson Cooper that while he's "opposed" to Castro's authoritarianism, it's "unfair to simply say everything is bad" because he helped improve the country's literacy rates after coming into power.

Sanders' comment has since been denounced by both Republicans and Democrats, especially in Florida where many Cuban refugees and their descendants live.

CNN anchor Chris Cuomo asked Sanders for his response to those criticizing his remarks about a regime that regularly imprisoned and killed dissentients.    

"When Castro first came to power...he initiated a major literacy program. There was a lot of folks in Cuba at that point who were illiterate and he formed a literacy brigade that went out and they helped people learn to read and write. You know what? I think teaching people to read and write is a good thing," Sanders said. 

"I have been extremely consistent and critical of all authoritarian regimes all over the world including Cuba, including Nicaragua, including Saudi Arabia, including China, including Russia," he continued. "I happen to believe in democracy, not authoritarianism. China is another example. China is an authoritarian country becoming more and more authoritarian. But can anyone deny? I mean the facts are clear: They have taken more people out of extreme poverty than any country in history...So that is the fact. End of discussion."

Advertisement

Cuomo followed up by asking about the Democrats who said you can't say positive things about Castro's government because of the overwhelming amount of atrocities they committed to their own people.

"Truth is truth. All right? If you want to disagree with me, if somebody wants to say that — and by the way all of the Congresspeople that you mentioned just so happen to be supporting other candidates...but you know, the truth is the truth. And that is what happened on the first years of the Castro regime," Sanders said.

While some Democrats have endorsed other candidates for president, others like Reps. Donna Shalala and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell have yet to endorse anyone.


Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement