UN resolutions on Venezuela crisis vetoed
- 5 years ago
Two rival resolutions on Venezuela – one drafted by the US, the other by Russia – have been vetoed at the United Nations Security Council.
The US draft called for a “free and fair presidential election and unhindered aid access”, while the Russian plan backed the Venezuelan government and supported it as the primary coordinator of international assistance efforts for the country.
Under President Nicolás Maduro’s rule, Venezuela’s economic recession – that started under the regime of the late President Hugo Chavez – worsened and became a political crisis.
In January, Juan Guaidó, the 35-year-old president of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, declared himself interim president. Guaidó’s swearing-in as the new leader was supported by the United States, Canada and many of their allies, but President Maduro retained the backing of China and Russia. The incumbent leader still controls the military, state institutions and the country’s key oil company – Venezuela has the world's largest proven oil reserves.
US President Donald Trump said “all options are on the table” to deal with the crisis. But Venezuela’s UN envoy Samuel Moncada said the threats against peace are those “from abroad”.
The US draft called for a “free and fair presidential election and unhindered aid access”, while the Russian plan backed the Venezuelan government and supported it as the primary coordinator of international assistance efforts for the country.
Under President Nicolás Maduro’s rule, Venezuela’s economic recession – that started under the regime of the late President Hugo Chavez – worsened and became a political crisis.
In January, Juan Guaidó, the 35-year-old president of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, declared himself interim president. Guaidó’s swearing-in as the new leader was supported by the United States, Canada and many of their allies, but President Maduro retained the backing of China and Russia. The incumbent leader still controls the military, state institutions and the country’s key oil company – Venezuela has the world's largest proven oil reserves.
US President Donald Trump said “all options are on the table” to deal with the crisis. But Venezuela’s UN envoy Samuel Moncada said the threats against peace are those “from abroad”.