Biden’s Absence Sparks Speculation at G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro – Joe Biden‘s Absence at G20 Photo Session

During the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, U.S. President Joe Biden did not appear in the group photo with other world leaders. His absence raised questions about whether he wanted to avoid sharing the stage with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who was also present.

The incident occurred on November 18, 2024, at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio. According to reports from Associated Press and The Guardian, the photo session took place earlier than planned. Officials traveling with Biden stated that a “logistical issue” caused him to arrive late.

In addition to Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were also absent from the photo. When Biden and Trudeau arrived, the photo session had already concluded, and the other leaders were dispersing.

Leaders at the summit included Xi Jinping of China, Narendra Modi of India, and Emmanuel Macron of France. They engaged in conversation and posed with the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain in the background, smiling and waving for the cameras.

This G20 summit marks Biden’s final appearance as President of the United States before Donald Trump assumes office in January.