UN to Vote on Dueling US, Russia Drafts on Venezuela
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The UN Security Council will vote Thursday on two rival draft resolutions from the United States and Russia aimed at confronting the crisis in Venezuela, according to diplomats.
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.
The council is set to vote around 9:30 am (1530 GMT) on both proposed measures, according to AFP.
Russia and China, which support Maduro, are likely to veto the US draft resolution that "expresses deep concern about the actions of a regime that have caused an economic collapse," diplomats said.
But the Russian measure, which expresses "concern over the threats to use force" against Venezuela, is unlikely to garner the nine votes for adoption, according to diplomats.
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.
Russia's draft resolution urges a settlement "through peaceful means" and welcomes calls by Guterres for dialogue.
The United States was among the first countries to recognize opposition Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate leader after he declared himself as president last month, arguing Maduro's May 2018 re-election was a sham.
