Former President and Republican candidate for the White House, Donald Trump (pictured), called Democrats “stupid” on Tuesday after the United States seized a Venezuelan state plane used by President Nicolás Maduro. Joe Biden’s government announced on Monday the seizure of a Maduro plane that was in the Dominican Republic alleging a violation of sanctions against Venezuela.
“Maduro’s plane was just confiscated by the United States. No problem, now he can go out and get a much bigger and better one with all the money we paid Venezuela for oil we don’t need,” Trump said on his Truth Social network. When he was in power in 2019, Trump imposed a battery of sanctions on Venezuela, including an embargo on oil and gas, as a pressure measure to try to bring about Maduro’s downfall.
Biden opted for dialogue diplomacy with Caracas but used sanctions as a bargaining chip. He eased them as a reward for concessions from Maduro, to lay the groundwork for the elections held on July 28, and reimposed them when he interpreted that Caracas had broken its promises. However, he grants individual licenses to operate in Venezuela to oil companies such as the American Chevron.
“We have more LIQUID GOLD than any other nation,” Trump protested in his message. “HOW STUPID ARE OUR ‘LEADERS’! WE ARE THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE WHOLE WORLD!!!!” he added in capital letters. The Republican’s constant criticism of the Biden administration, especially on immigration policy, has grown as the November 5 elections approach.
In an August interview with billionaire Elon Musk, Trump hinted that they might meet in Venezuela next time. “If something happens with this election, something that would be a horror show, we will meet next time in Venezuela because it will be a much safer place than our country,” he said. At his campaign rallies, Trump repeats that crime in Venezuela is going down because “criminals” are leaving for the United States.
