Venezuela crisis: China and Russia team up at UN to veto US call for elections, before Moscow’s proposal is shot down too
- The failure of the duelling proposals demonstrates a global split on how to deal with the political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela
The United States and Russia both failed on Thursday in rival bids to get the United Nations Security Council to take action on Venezuela, cementing a global split over how to deal with a political and humanitarian crisis in the South American country.
Russia and the United States have been at loggerheads over a US-led campaign for international recognition of Juan Guaido, the Venezuelan opposition leader and head of the country’s elected National Assembly, over President Nicolas Maduro. Guaido last month declared himself the interim head of state.
Russia and China vetoed a US-drafted UN Security Council resolution calling for a free and fair presidential election in Venezuela and unhindered aid access. The US text garnered a minimum nine votes – forcing the double veto, while South Africa also voted no. Three countries abstained.
“By voting against this resolution some members of this council continue to shield Maduro and his cronies and prolong the suffering of the Venezuelan people. This man-made crisis has extended well beyond Venezuela’s borders and threatens to destabilise the region,” US special envoy for Venezuela Elliott Abrams told the council.