Photo taken on Feb. 28, 2019 shows the United Nations Security Council voting on a U.S. drafted resolution on Venezuela at the UN headquarters in New York. The UN Security Council on Thursday failed to adopt a U.S.-drafted resolution on Venezuela. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Thursday failed to adopt two competing draft resolutions on Venezuela, sponsored by the United States and Russia respectively.
The U.S. draft received nine votes in favor, three against, and three abstentions in the 15-member council. Russia and China vetoed the resolution.
Minutes later, the Security Council voted on the Russian draft, which received four votes in favor, seven against and four abstentions.
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 Jan. 23 when National Assembly President Juan Guaido declared himself interim president and was recognized by the United States and some other countries.
A U.S.-backed drive to deliver "humanitarian aid" to Venezuela through border crossings on Feb. 23 met strong resistance from the Venezuelan government as President Nicolas Maduro believed the aid, mainly from the United States, is a smokescreen for a military invasion.
The Venezuelan government has closed borders with Brazil and Colombia and some air and sea routes.
