Vice President Mike Pence on Friday latched onto a theme that's been pervasive throughout this week's annual conservative gathering: linking 2020 Democratic presidential candidates to socialism.

During his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Pence singled out independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is a self-described democratic socialist mounting a second White House run to unseat President Donald Trump.

But Pence argued that other Democratic candidates have followed in Sanders' footsteps and "papered over the failed policies of socialism with bumper sticker slogans and slick social media campaigns."

The vice president hammered progressive policies like a single-payer health care system and the Green New Deal, which have been embraced by a number of 2020 Democratic contenders as well as Democratic lawmakers in Congress.

"Under the guise of Medicare for All and a Green New Deal, Democrats are embracing the same, tired economic theories that have impoverished nations and have stifled the liberties of millions over the past century," Pence said at the conservative gathering in National Harbor, Maryland. "That system is socialism

"The moment America becomes a socialist country is the moment America ceases to be America," Pence continued.

Pence then turned his attention to Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro, saying that the leader "must go."

Pence's CPAC address comes on the heels of his trip to Colombia, where he met with regional countries in an emergency summit as Venezuela faces political upheaval.

The Trump administration on Friday announced additional sanctions against Venezuelan officials linked to Maduro. During his trip, Pence met with Juan Guaido, an opposition leader recognized as Venezuela's interim president by dozens of countries including the United States.

During his speech, Pence also zeroed in on social issues, calling Trump the most "pro-life president" in U.S. history and trumpeting the need for religious freedom, which he deemed under attack.

He cited the controversy surrounding his wife, second lady Karen Pence, who recently resumed teaching at a school that bans gay students and faculty.