Monday, 23 Jan 2012 09:57 PM

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich vowed Monday night that as president he will "overthrow the regime" of Fidel Castro.

Responding to a question by Brian Williams during the NBC debate in Tampa about U.S. policy toward Cuba, Gingrich said he would press for a "Cuban spring," much like the Arab spring sweeping the Middle East.

"We will not tolerate four more years of this [Castro] regime," Gingrich said.

Fidel Castro has been in power for more than 50 years and Cuba remains one of the most repressive regimes in the world. Although his health has failed him in recent years, and his brother is the official leader of the country, Castro continues to lead behind the scenes.

Gingrich said he would accomplish the goal of ousting Castro by "using every asset" the U.S. government has, including supporting a popular uprising and encouraging Cuban youth to take to the streets.