President Joe Biden's subdued demeanor during his South American tour has raised new questions about his effectiveness on the global stage.

Biden recently concluded a significant six-day international trip, which took him to Peru and Brazil, marking some of the final moments of his presidency on the international circuit, but as he boarded Air Force One for the return journey, the president chose not to engage with members of the press, who were eager for comments, as the Daily Mail reports.

This lack of communication was a theme throughout his tour. At various points, when questioned by reporters, Biden responded with nothing more than a silent smile or a blank stare, further highlighting his reserved interaction with the media.

President Visits Peru and Brazil Amid Silence

In Lima, Peru, Biden attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. This visit was followed by his participation in the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where his interactions, or lack thereof, with other global leaders were noticeably subdued.

Amid these high-profile meetings, Biden's silence on critical issues was pronounced. He avoided discussing any measures regarding Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons or the implications of such decisions on U.S.-Russia relations.

Following Biden’s departure from the summit, reports emerged from Russia about an overnight attack by Ukraine in the Bryansk region, escalating tensions between the two nations.

Biden's Missteps Captured During Group Photos

One of the more embarrassing moments for Biden came during the G20 summit in Brazil. He was notably absent when the leaders gathered for a group photo, causing a stir among the media and attendees.

Confusion over the timing and nature of the group photos was apparent, with conflicting statements emerging from White House officials and Brazilian Minister of Communications, Paolo Pimenta. The mix-up led to an awkward situation where Biden was not present on time for the photo.

A viral video clip from his visit to the Amazon rainforest furthered the narrative of disorientation when it appeared Biden had gotten lost. However, it was later clarified that he was merely retracing his path to an earlier speech location.

Global Leadership Questioned Amid Presidential Silence

During the trip, Biden’s positioning in the second row during the APEC summit's official "family photo" also drew attention. This arrangement was reportedly due to alphabetical order, though some deviations from this norm were noted due to protocol breaches.

Further, Biden's brief and singular response to questions about how he planned to address threats from North Korea with Chinese President Xi Jinping was simply, "Peacefully." This one-word reply did little to satisfy the inquiries from an eager press corps.

Indigenous tour guides at the Museu da Amazônia even resorted to playing maracas to drown out reporters' persistent questions, highlighting the lengths taken to avoid media interactions.

Frustrations Voiced by Reporters

The media's frustration with Biden’s lack of engagement was palpable. As he boarded Air Force One, a reporter loudly called out, pleading for a response: "Mr. President. President Biden. Please, we haven't heard from you all trip. Mr. President!"

Another reporter attempted a more personal approach, wishing Biden an early happy birthday and appealing for a "gift to the press" in the form of dialogue, which went unanswered.

In light of these events, senior administration officials insisted that discussions about Trump did not surface in Biden's meetings with world leaders, emphasizing a focus on forward-looking policies rather than dwelling on past administrations.

Administration's Explanations for Confusion

A senior administration official later explained the G20 photo mishap as a result of "logistical issues" that necessitated taking the photo earlier than planned.

Paolo Pimenta's comments also shed light on the disarray, noting that Biden was caught in conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, leading to his delayed arrival at the photo session.

An American journalist’s commentary during the missed photo opportunity captured the scene: "Where was he? They're telling them to wait for Biden, guys. Oh my God! ... Do you see him to the left? To the left of the palm tree. Oh my god ... He's behind the palm tree right now."