In the News

Vermont Sen. Bernard Sanders‘ recent balk at calling Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro a dictator has not gone over well with Florida Democrats.

At issue is Mr. Sanders‘ interview with Univision’s Jorge Ramos on Tuesday, during which the democratic socialist would not give a definitive answer when asked: “Is Nicolas Maduro a dictator, senator, for you — and should he go?”

“I think there are serious questions about the recent election,” Mr. Sanders said. “There are many people who feel it was a fraudulent election. I think the United States has got to work with the international community to make sure there is a free and fair election in Venezuela. Clearly, [Mr. Maduro] has been very, very abusive. That is a decision of the Venezuelan people.”

The Sunshine State has filled with Venezuelan refugees in recent years as a result of the nation’s economic collapse and Maduro’s police-state tactics on opposition groups. Liberal activists and politicians in Florida, keen to their anti-socialist constituency, roundly lambasted Mr. Sanders and his 2020 presidential campaign.

“I’ll make it clear,” Democratic Rep. Donna Shalala tweeted Thursday. “@SenSanders does not reflect the majority of the Democratic Party. And our support for Venezuela’s interim president [opposition leader Juan Guaidó] and the Venezuelan people. Maduro is a dictator and must go.