UNITED NATIONS, Feb 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The UN Security Council was expected to vote Thursday on two rival draft resolutions from the United States and Russia aimed at confronting the crisis in Venezuela, but both are expected to fail, according to diplomats.
Battered by an economic meltdown, Venezuela descended into a major political crisis when opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president in January and asserted that President Nicolas Maduro was no longer legitimate.
On Wednesday, the United States put forward a measure that would call for presidential elections to end the political standoff and unimpeded deliveries of aid to ease shortages of food and medicine in Venezuela.
A competing Russian text urges a peaceful settlement of the crisis and recalls that aid deliveries to Venezuela require the consent of Maduro’s government.
Both countries requested a vote for Thursday on their dueling texts.
Resolutions at the Security Council, which are legally binding, must garner nine votes to be adopted, with no vetoes from the five permanent members — Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.
The US-drafted text calls for “free, fair and credible presidential elections,” with the presence of international observers, describing the May vote in which Maduro was declared the winner as “neither free nor fair.”
It expresses support for “the peaceful restoration of democracy and rule of law in Venezuela” and requests that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres broker a deal on holding fresh elections.
Russia’s draft resolution urges a settlement “through peaceful means” and welcomes calls by Guterres for dialogue.
The United States is leading a push for recognition of Guaido, who heads the National Assembly, backed by about 50 countries.
In Geneva earlier, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza proposed direct talks between the leaders, asking: “Why shouldn’t they meet, President Trump and President Maduro?”.
But US Vice President Mike Pence responded on Twitter that “the only thing to discuss with Maduro at this point is the time and date for his departure.”
Guaido was to travel to Brasilia to meet President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday. — NNN-AGENCIES
