National Post (National Edition)
UN Security Council rejects U.S., Russia resolutions on Venezuela
Series of heated exchanges reflect deep divisions
The UN Security Council rejected rival resolutions on Venezuela by the United States and Russia Thursday, with Russia and China vetoing the U.S. call for new elections and Moscow’s proposal failing to win sufficient support.
The votes reflected the divisions in the UN’S most powerful body over Venezuela’s political conflict between President Nicolas Maduro, who is supported by Moscow and Beijing, and opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has been recognized by the U.S. and more than 50 other countries as the country’s interim president.
The political dispute was sparked by the severe humanitarian crisis and collapsing economy in the oilrich country, which have forced several million Venezuelans — about one-tenth of the population — to flee the country in the last few years.
Immediately before the vote, Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused the United States of engaging in “shameless propaganda” with the goal of “regime change.” He expressed fear that defeat of the U.S. resolution could be used as a pretext for “a real intervention” in Venezuela.
U.S. envoy for Venezuela Elliott Abrams said after the vote that “the time for a peaceful transition to democracy is now,” accusing opponents of the U.S. resolution of prolonging the suffering of the Venezuelan people and continuing “to shield Maduro and his cronies.”
“Regardless of the results of today’s vote, this resolution shows that democracies around the world, and especially in Latin America, are mobilizing behind in- terim president Guaido,” he said. “We look forward to genuinely free and fair elections, and a government that reflects the will and aspirations of the Venezuelan people.”
The U.S. draft resolution received nine “yes” votes — the minimum number required for adoption — and three “no” votes from vetowielding Russia and China as well as South Africa. Three countries abstained: Indonesia, Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast.
The vote on the Russian draft was four in favour, seven against and four abstentions, which meant its defeat for failing to win the minimum support. If it had received nine votes, Abrams made clear the Trump administration would have vetoed it.
The U.S. draft urged “the peaceful restoration of democracy” in Venezuela, free and fair presidential elections and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to all people in need.
The Russian draft expressed concern at threats to use force against Venezuela and interfere in the country’s domestic affairs, and would have reaffirmed the government’s primary role in initiating international assist- ance. It also called for peaceful settlement of disputes and a political solution, and it reaffirmed the primary role of the government in seeking and consenting to international aid.
The votes on Thursday saw the same heated exchanges between supporters of Maduro and Guaido that have characterized every council meeting on Venezuela. And the UN’S most powerful body is likely to remain paralyzed when it comes to taking action, to the dismay of some council members.
The U.S. draft resolution expressed “deep concern” at “the violence and excessive use of force by Venezuelan security forces against unarmed, peaceful protesters” and “recent attempts to block the delivery of humanitarian aid.”
It made some significant changes from the Trump administration’s initial draft, in what one diplomat called an attempt to address Russian concerns.
The draft defeated on Thursday added several references to “peace” including calling “for the start of a peaceful political process leading to free, fair and credible presidential elections.”