The United States and Russia have drafted rival U.N. resolutions on Venezuela, reflecting the Trump administration's support for opposition leader Juan Guaidó and Moscow's backing for President Nicolás Maduro.
The U.S. draft resolution, seen by AP on Tuesday, expresses "deep concern that the presidential elections of May 20, 2018 were neither free nor fair" and "calls for the immediate start of a political process leading to free, fair and credible presidential elections, with international electoral observation."
The Russian draft criticizes "attempts to intervene" in Venezuelan domestic affairs, expresses "concern over the threats to use force" against the country, and calls for a peaceful resolution of the stalemate.
Neither draft resolution has been circulated to the U.N. Security Council. If they are, it is highly likely that both would be defeated – with the U.S. and Russia using their vetoes if necessary.
Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told reporters late Tuesday that the U.S. draft is "completely unbalanced" and "we thought that it was timely and appropriate to support the territorial integrity, unity, sovereignty of Venezuela."
He said the Venezuelans should solve the issue peacefully, "with no even hint of military intervention."
