U.S. and Russia clash in UN Security Council over Venezuela political crisis
- 5 years ago
In Venezuela, tens of thousands are protesting against President Nicolas Maduro... and the economic collapse, food shortages and hyper inflation under his regime.
Last Wednesday, the leader of the opposition-run congress, Juan Guaido, declared himself interim president.
Now the turmoil has reached the United Nations... with United States and Russia clashing over whether to recognize Guaido as the legitimate leader.
Our Ko Roon-hee explains.
On Saturday at the UN Security Council, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged countries to recognize the leader of Venezuela's opposition-run Congress, Juan Guaido, as president... and support the country's transition to democracy.
This was an emergency session called by Washington, after the U.S., Canada and many Latin American countries decided to recognize Guaido as Venezuela's president.
"Now it is time for every other nation to pick a side. No more delays, no more games. Either you stand with the forces of freedom, or you're in league with Maduro and his mayhem. Some countries have publicly taken former President Maduro's side. China, Russia, Syria and Iran are just four of them."
However, Russia accused Washington of attempting a coup,... and said potential military intervention in Venezuela should be avoided at any cost.
China also said it opposes foreign interference in Venezuela's affairs,... saying the situation is not a threat to international peace... and is also not on the agenda of the Security Council.
Analysts say this is because Russia and China are Venezuela's two main creditors... invested heavily in oil.
Beijing wants to get raw materials at a good price, but Moscow is more interested in extending its military presence near Venezuela.
Meanwhile, Venezuela's top military envoy to the United States defected from the Maduro government on Saturday.
In a video recorded at the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, the envoy urged people to recognize President Juan Guaido as the only legitimate president.
Ko Roon-hee, Arirang News.
Last Wednesday, the leader of the opposition-run congress, Juan Guaido, declared himself interim president.
Now the turmoil has reached the United Nations... with United States and Russia clashing over whether to recognize Guaido as the legitimate leader.
Our Ko Roon-hee explains.
On Saturday at the UN Security Council, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged countries to recognize the leader of Venezuela's opposition-run Congress, Juan Guaido, as president... and support the country's transition to democracy.
This was an emergency session called by Washington, after the U.S., Canada and many Latin American countries decided to recognize Guaido as Venezuela's president.
"Now it is time for every other nation to pick a side. No more delays, no more games. Either you stand with the forces of freedom, or you're in league with Maduro and his mayhem. Some countries have publicly taken former President Maduro's side. China, Russia, Syria and Iran are just four of them."
However, Russia accused Washington of attempting a coup,... and said potential military intervention in Venezuela should be avoided at any cost.
China also said it opposes foreign interference in Venezuela's affairs,... saying the situation is not a threat to international peace... and is also not on the agenda of the Security Council.
Analysts say this is because Russia and China are Venezuela's two main creditors... invested heavily in oil.
Beijing wants to get raw materials at a good price, but Moscow is more interested in extending its military presence near Venezuela.
Meanwhile, Venezuela's top military envoy to the United States defected from the Maduro government on Saturday.
In a video recorded at the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, the envoy urged people to recognize President Juan Guaido as the only legitimate president.
Ko Roon-hee, Arirang News.