UN to vote on rival US and Russian resolutions on Venezuela

UNITED NATIONS (AP) – The U.N. Security Council scheduled votes Thursday on rival resolutions on Venezuela sponsored by the United States, which supports opposition leader Juan Guaido, and Russia, which backs President Nicolas Maduro.

The U.S. resolution, which urges “the peaceful restoration of democracy” in Venezuela, free and fair presidential elections and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to all people in need, will be voted on first. It is likely to face a veto from Russia if it gets the minimum nine “yes” votes required for adoption.

The Russian resolution will be voted on next. If adopted, it will likely face a U.S. veto.

The Russian draft expresses concern at threats to use force against Venezuela and interfere in the country’s domestic affairs, urges a peaceful settlement of the political dispute, and reaffirms the government’s primary role in initiating international assistance.

The rival resolutions reflect the deep divisions in the Security Council over the political conflict in oil-rich Venezuela which faces a severe humanitarian crisis and a collapsing economy. While there have been several heated exchanges in the council between supporters of Maduro and Guaido, the U.N.’s most powerful body is likely to remain paralyzed when it comes to taking action.

On Tuesday, U.S. envoy Elliott Abrams and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza gave opposing views of Saturday’s attempt by Guaido to deliver aid across the Colombian and Brazilian borders to needy Venezuelans.

Abrams said “armed gangs, thugs and criminals released from prisons” had been mobilized to control Venezuela’s borders – leading to the burning of humanitarian aid and Venezuelans being shot, beaten and killed as they tried to bring in food and medicine while Maduro “literally was dancing in Caracas.”

Arreaza accused the United States of organizing and financing “a well-orchestrated operation” to violate his country’s sovereignty. He blamed opposition “thugs” and “bandits” on the Colombian side for the violence, which he said Venezuelan armed forces and police were able to contain … without using any kind of deadly force.”

Abrams also sparred with Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia over possible U.S. military intervention in the politically divided country.

The U.S. draft resolution expresses “deep concern” at “the violence and excessive use of force by Venezuelan security forces against unarmed, peaceful protesters” and “recent attempts to block the delivery of humanitarian aid.”

It makes some significant changes from the Trump administration’s initial draft, in what one diplomat called an attempt to address Russian concerns.

The initial U.S. draft’s only mention of “peace” was to recognize “the disruption to peace and security in the region caused by the actions of a regime that have caused an economic collapse.” More than 3 million Venezuelans have fled their homeland in recent years in search of food, medicine and opportunities elsewhere in the region.

The final U.S. draft doesn’t mention the use or threatened use of force but it does make several references to peace.

It “calls for the start of a peaceful political process leading to free, fair and credible presidential elections.” It “supports the peaceful restoration of democracy and rule of law in Venezuela.” And it asks U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “to help ensure free, fair, and credible presidential elections, and encourages subsequent peaceful, inclusive, and credible initiatives to address the prolonged crisis in the country.”

The Russians, however, are likely to object to another provision in the new U.S. text.

It notes “the constitutional authority of the democratically elected National Assembly,” which Guaido heads, and commends its efforts to release political prisoners, fight corruption and provide amnesties to civilian and military officials who support “the restoration of democracy.”

Responding to threats against Guaido and others in the opposition, the draft also “stresses the importance of ensuring the security of all members of the National Assembly, and members of the political opposition.”

As for aid, the initial U.S. draft expressed “deep concern” at “recent attempts to block the delivery of humanitarian aid” and stressed the need to facilitate access and delivery of aid to all Venezuelans in need – language similar to the final draft, which added a call for “unhindered access.”

The Russian draft to be voted on reaffirms the need for the government’s “consent” to assistance on the basis of an appeal, and reiterates the need to respect “the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence for the provision of international assistance.”

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2/28/2019 11:47:59 AM (GMT -7:00)