A resurfaced tweet from Joe Biden is drawing renewed attention after dramatic developments involving Venezuela that supporters of President Trump say underscore a sharp contrast between the two leaders.
Trump talks tough on Venezuela, but admires thugs and dictators like Nicolas Maduro.
As President, I will stand with the Venezuelan people and for democracy. https://t.co/eUt28UxyXS
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 22, 2020
During the 2020 campaign, Biden accused Trump of admiring “thugs and dictators like Nicolas Maduro,” criticizing reports at the time that Trump was open to meeting with the Venezuelan leader.
“Trump talks tough on Venezuela, but admires thugs and dictators like Nicolas Maduro,” Biden said in June 2020.
“As President, I will stand with the Venezuelan people and for democracy,” he added.
Critics now argue that Biden failed to deliver on that promise during his time in office.
By contrast, the Trump administration is being credited by supporters with decisive action. According to reports circulating Saturday, President Trump authorized precision military strikes in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The two were reportedly taken into U.S. custody on multiple charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy.
President Trump later shared images and video of the military operation, including a photo showing a detained and blindfolded Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima.
Speaking to reporters, President Trump said the United States would oversee Venezuela temporarily until a peaceful transfer of power could take place.
For many observers, the contrast between Biden’s rhetoric and Trump’s actions has become impossible to ignore.