US urges UN to call for Venezuela pollsBy The Manila Timeshome/News/World/US urges UN to call for Venezuela pollsThe US has presented a draft resolution at the United Nations (UN) Security Council calling for international aid deliveries and a presidential vote in Venezuela, triggering a Russian counter-proposal. The text, a copy of which was obtained by AFP, expresses “full support for the National Assembly as the only democratically elected institution in Venezuela.”The legislative body’s chairman, Juan Guaido, has declared himself interim president of Venezuela, challenging Maduro’s rule. It also “stresses the need to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Venezuela and to facilitate access and delivery of assistance to all in need in the entirety of the territory of Venezuela.”On Friday, Moscow proposed an alternative resolution to the American one, diplomats said. It expresses “concern over the threats to use force against the territorial integrity and political independence of…Venezuela,” according to the draft. Humanitarian aid sent by the US recently arrived in the Colombian city of Cucuta at the border with Venezuela, but Maduro has refused to let in the shipments.

Source: Manila Times February 11, 2019 16:51 UTC