CNN en Espanol anchor to participate in Fla debate

MIAMI (AP) - CNN en Espanol is joining the list of Spanish-language networks to co-host debates and forums with the GOP presidential candidates.

On Thursday, CNN en Espanol’s top anchor Juan Carlos Lopez will moderate questions from a panel in Miami during the CNN debate in Jacksonville. The debate is also co-hosted by the Hispanic Leadership Network and the Republican Party of Florida.

Last fall, Telemundo anchor Jose Diaz-Balart asked questions related to immigration during an MSNBC debate, and he has since interviewed several of the candidates, including Newt Gingrich. On Wednesday, Univision anchor Jorge Ramos went head-to-head in a series of “Meet the Candidate” interviews with Mitt Romney, Gingrich and Rick Santorum.

Lopez has collaborated with CNN before, but Thursday’s event will showcase his talents to a much broader, English-speaking audience.