Sanders: 'Unfair to simply say everything is bad' in Cuba under Castro

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Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.), the leading Democratic presidential candidate, said in an new interview that it’s “unfair” to classify everything as being “bad” in Cuba under the authoritarian rule of the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro. 

“We’re very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba, but you know it’s unfair to simply say everything is bad,” Sanders told “60 Minutes” in an interview that aired late Sunday. 

“You know, when Fidel Castro came into office, you know what he did? He had a massive literacy program. Is that a bad thing? Even though Fidel Castro did it?” he added. 

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His remarks came in response to a question about comments he made in the 1980s explaining that the Cuban people did not rise up because of education and health care. 

Host Anderson Cooper followed up by noting that a lot of dissidents were imprisoned in Cuba. 

“That’s right. And we condemn that,” Sanders responded. “Unlike Donald TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE, let’s be clear, you want to — I do not think that Kim Jong UnKim Jong UnNorth Korea warns US to stay out of its affairs to ensure ‘smooth running’ of presidential election A crisis on the Korean peninsula reinforces the need for allies South Korea charging defectors over leaflets dropped in North MORE is a good friend. I don’t trade love letters with a murdering dictator. Vladimir PutinVladimir Vladimirovich PutinRepublicans release newly declassified intelligence document on FBI source Steele Feehery: How Trump can turn the protests into parades dedicated to making America great again You may pay more at the pump, as OPEC+ cuts oil production MORE, not a great friend of mine.”

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Sanders’s comments on Castro drew bipartisan pushback Sunday night after the interview aired.

Florida Rep. Donna ShalalaDonna Edna ShalalaThe sad spectacle of Trump’s enablers The Hill’s Coronavirus Report: Former NIC Director Greg Treverton rips US response; WHO warns of ‘immediate second peak’ if countries reopen too quickly Treasury has not disbursed B in airline support: oversight panel MORE (D) said she hopes in the future Sanders will speak to some of her constituents before he “decides to sing the praises of a murderous tyrant like Fidel Castro.” 

Rep. Marco RubioMarco Antonio RubioHillicon Valley: Georgia officials launch investigation after election day chaos | Senate report finds Chinese telecom groups operated in US without proper oversight Republican Senators ask FCC to ‘clearly define’ when social media platforms should receive liability protections Trump’s tweet on protester sparks GOP backlash  MORE (R-Fla.) also said Sanders is “wrong” about why people didn’t overthrow Castro. 

“It’s not because ‘he educated their kids,gave them health care’ it‘s because his opponents were jailed,murdered or exiled,” he tweeted. 

And Rep. Lee ZeldinLee ZeldinFlynn urged Russian diplomat to have ‘reciprocal’ response to Obama sanctions, new transcripts show The Hill’s Coronavirus Report: Surgeon General stresses need to invest much more in public health infrastructure, during and after COVID-19; Fauci hopeful vaccine could be deployed in December The Hill’s Coronavirus Report: Mnuchin sees ‘strong likelihood’ of another relief package; Warner says some businesses ‘may not come back’ at The Hill’s Advancing America’s Economy summit MORE (R-N.Y.) attacked Sanders over his “democratic socialist” ideology after the interview aired. 

“This isn’t Cuba, Venezuela or the USSR. 2020 may be the year Bernie Sanders and the Democratic Socialists take over the Democratic Party, but it better not be the year they take over the United States of America,” Zeldin tweeted. 

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Sanders is leading the Democratic presidential primary field, after winning in New Hampshire and Nevada.

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