Sen. Bernie Sanders is even more fringe than House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on socialism.
During an interview Tuesday with Univision’s Jorge Ramos, the Vermont socialist lawmaker refused to call on Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro to step down, wouldn’t admit that Maduro’s a dictator, and dodged a question on whether Juan Guaido should be recognized as Venezuela’s leader.
The bizarre segment began when Ramos asked Sanders, who announced last week that he’s running for president, whether he considers National Assembly president Juan Guaido the legitimate leader of Venezuela.
“No. I think what has to happen right now — I think there are serious questions about the recent election. There are many people who feel it was a fraudulent election, and I think the United States has got to work with the international community to make sure that there is a free and fair election in Venezuela,” Sanders said.
Ramos gave Sanders another chance by asking if he believes Maduro is a dictator and if he should step down.
Bernie again refused to speak ill of the socialist dictator.
“I think clearly he has been very, very abusive. That is a decision of the Venezuelan people, so I think, Jorge, there’s got to be a free and fair election,” Sanders said, again dodging the question.
The United States, most of Latin America, and several other nations have officially recognized Guaido as Venezuela’s legitimate leader after years of Maduro oppressing, starving, and harming thousands ofinnocent citizens.
Maduro has refused to step down, but Guaido declared himself the legitimate leader since the country’s constitution states that he can assume power if a president is deemed illegitimate.
Ironically enough, Pelosi has publicly thrown her support behind Guaido as the legitimate leader.
“I support the decision of the National Assembly, Venezuela’s sole remaining democratic institution, to recognize Juan Guaidó, President of the National Assembly, as the Interim President until full, fair and free elections can be held. The United States must respect legitimate democratic processes, and support the right of the people of Venezuela to protest and defend their human rights,” Pelosi said in a statement.
The House Speaker even took it one step further and slammed Maduro’s socialist policies for pushing Venezuela to the brink of a total collapse.
“Nicolas Maduro’s regime of repression and impoverishment for his personal enrichment continues to gravely violate human rights, and must be condemned swiftly by the full international community. His recent decision to block bridges and cut off channels of food and supplies imperils the health and futures of the Venezuelan people, and must be immediately reversed,” she added.
Strange day when Pelosi has come down harder on socialism than Sanders.
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