NEW YORK >> MSNBC is apologizing for a Cinco de Mayo segment that featured a staff member onscreen wearing a sombrero, shaking maracas and taking a swig from a bottle of tequila.

The network said Tuesday the interlude on its "Way Too Early" show Monday featuring correspondent Louis Burgdorf and host Thomas Roberts wasn’t intended to be disrespectful. The show apologized online and will express its regret Wednesday on the air.

Hugo Balta, president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, says it was abominable that the segment was done by a news organization. He says it feeds "the ignorant misconceptions of a rich and proud people who unfortunately are too often portrayed as caricatures to be scoffed at."

The holiday marks an 1862 battle victory by Mexican troops. It is celebrated in the U.S. with parades and revelry.