UNSC rejects U.S., Russian resolutions on Venezuela

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The UN Security Council Thursday failed to adopt two competing draft resolutions on Venezuela, sponsored by the United States and Russia, respectively, cementing a global split over how to deal with a political and humanitarian crisis in the South American country. Chinese envoy spoke during the meeting, saying that the Venezuelan affairs should be decided by the Venezuelan people.

China: 'the Venezuelan affairs should be decided by the Venezuelan people'

The Venezuelan affairs should be decided by the Venezuelan people, a Chinese envoy said Thursday after the United Nations Security Council failed to adopt a U.S.-drafted resolution on Venezuela.

"China pays close attention to the situation in Venezuela and supports the Venezuelan government in its efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty, independence and stability," said Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, at a Security Council emergency meeting on Venezuela.

China's deputy permanent representative to the UN Wu Haitao speaks during the UN Security Council in New York, February 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

"At the Security Council, on the Venezuelan issue, our starting point is to uphold the spirit of the UN Charter and the basic principles governing international relations, promote a peaceful settlement of the Venezuelan issue and maintain long-term peace, stability and development in Latin America," the Chinese ambassador said.

China opposes external forces interfering in Venezuela internal affairs and opposes military intervention in Venezuela, he stressed.

The members of the United Nations Security Council hold a meeting to vote for resolutions on controlling the turmoil in Venezuela in New York, February 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

"It is regrettable that the draft resolution before us is seriously inconsistent with the Chinese principal position as stated above," Wu said, adding that "China had to vote against it."

"China calls upon the Venezuelan government and opposition parties to seek a political solution through dialogue and consultation within the constitutional and legal framework," the ambassador added.

On the failure to adopt a U.S.-drafted resolution, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang on Friday reiterated the country's principled stance on Venezuela issue and said that maintaining Venezuela's peace and stability conforms with the fundamental interests of the country and its people, as well as the common interests of all parties.

U.S., Russian resolutions on Venezuela rejected separately

The U.S. draft, which calls for international recognition of the Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, received nine votes in favor, three against, and three abstentions in the 15-member council. Russia and China vetoed the resolution, calling for a free and fair presidential election in Venezuela and unhindered aid access.

Minutes later, the Security Council voted on the Russian draft with four votes in favor, seven against and four abstentions. The draft aimed to express support for a political solution and back the Venezuelan government as the primary coordinator of international assistance efforts in the country.

The U.S. envoy on Venezuela, Elliott Abrams (L), speaks with Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia before the UN Security Council votes on rival U.S. and Russian draft resolutions on the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, February 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia expressed serious concern on the Venezuela political crisis after the vote.

"We are seriously concerned about the fact that today's meeting may be exploited as a step for preparations of a real, not humanitarian, intervention ... as a result of the alleged inability of the Security Council to resolve the situation in Venezuela."

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Thursday's Security Council meeting is the third on the situation in Venezuela in just over a month due to the escalation of political tension facing the Latin American country.

Venezuela has been plunged into a political crisis since January 23 when National Assembly President Juan Guaido declared himself interim president and was recognized by the U.S. and some other countries.

A Colombian soldier stands guard at the Simon Bolivar international bridge, in Cucuta, Colombia, on the border with Venezuela, February 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

A U.S.-backed drive to deliver "humanitarian aid" to Venezuela through border crossings on February 23 met strong resistance from the Venezuelan government as President Nicolas Maduro believed the aid, mainly from the U.S., is a smokescreen for a military invasion.

The Venezuelan government has closed borders with Brazil and Colombia and some air and sea routes.

(Cover: Venezuelan Ambassador to the United Nations Samuel Moncada reacts during the UN Security Council meeting in New York, February 28, 2019. /VCG Photo)

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Source(s): Reuters ,Xinhua News Agency