The Spanish International Network (SIN) first and Univision later, members of the Organización de Televisión Iberoamericana (OTI), were responsible for their participation.

The country won the event for first time in 1986 with the song "Todos" –which sent a message of unity between the Latin community in the country– sung by a trio composed by the performers Damaris Carbaugh, Miguel Ángel Guerra [es] and Eduardo Fabiani.

The United States hosted the OTI Festival on three occasions, the first one in 1983 in the Constitution Hall of Washington, D.C., which was presented by the Cubans Rafael Pineda and Ana Carlota.

This edition of the festival was famous because the ceremony was opened by a message by the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan sent to the Spanish speaking community which hailed their contribution to the cultural diversity of the country.

They also hosted the event in 1989 in Miami having the James L. Knight Convention Center as the venue and in 1990 in the Caesars Palace of Las Vegas.