US Blocks UNSC Draft Resolution Denouncing Paramilitary Incursion into Venezuela

Russia, China and other countries criticized violations of Venezuelan sovereignty.

By Ricardo Vaz
Global Research, May 25, 2020
Venezuelanalysis.com 21 May 2020
Region: ,
Theme: , ,

The United States rejected a Russia-proposed UN Security Council (UNSC) draft condemning a recent coup attempt in Venezuela.

During a virtual session of the UNSC on Wednesday, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyanskiy presented a resolution calling on member-states to reject the “use of force… terrorism in all its forms and manifestations… [and] the use of mercenaries.”

On May 3 and 4, Venezuelan forces neutralized two speedboats carrying armed groups off the country’s Caribbean coast. US special forces veteran Jordan Goudreau claimed to have orchestrated the 60-man incursion together with retired Venezuelan Major General Cliver Alcala, which was aimed at overthrowing the Maduro government. Venezuelan authorities have made dozens of arrests in connection with so-called “Operation Gedeon,” including two former US green berets, Luke Denman and Airan Berry.

Russia’s ambassador later complained that the resolution was “killed” by the US in “nine minutes” despite the draft containing “no accusations, only support of basic common things.”

For its part, China voiced support for Venezuelan sovereignty while blasting US sanctions against Caracas. Other countries, including Indonesia, South Africa and Vietnam, also criticized meddling in foreign countries’ affairs and voiced support for dialogue.

US representative Kelly Craft “categorically” denied any involvement in Operation Gedeon, accusing Russia and Cuba of “violating Venezuela’s sovereignty” by maintaining military cooperation agreements with the Caribbean nation.

The UNSC session came on the heels of fresh revelations concerning the thwarted invasion.

On Monday, Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez disclosed a series of leaked audio recordings allegedly involving Alcala, Gedeon commander Antonio Sequea, and other individuals discussing the plans.

Rodriguez showed testimonies from Berry and Denman revealing the operation’s supposed ties to Colombian drug traffickers. According to the minister, the funding for the paramilitary training camps in Northern Colombia was funnelled through the Futuro Presente NGO belonging to opposition politician Yon Goicoechea.

A longtime leader in the hard-right Popular Will party, Goicoechea was awarded the US $500,000 Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty in 2008. He was arrested in 2016 for alleged possession of explosives and released a year later. Venezuela’s Attorney General announced a warrant for his arrest on Thursday.

Goicoechea, who is currently outside Venezuela, has denied the charges, claiming he is no longer involved with Futuro Presente and accusing the government of being behind Operation Gedeon.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido had likewise dismissed it as a false flag, before a leaked contract between the opposition and Goudreau led him to shift the blame to his advisors J.J. Rendon and Sergio Vergara. Both have since resigned.

Following his self-proclamation as “interim president” in January 2019, with support from Washington and its allies, Guaido has led several unsuccessful attempts to oust the government. A series of scandals have seen his popularity drop, with other opposition leaders reportedly lobbying Washington for a leadership change.

*

Note to readers: please click the share buttons above or below. Forward this article to your email lists. Crosspost on your blog site, internet forums. etc.

Featured image: A host of countries urged respect for Venezuelan sovereignty at the UN Security Council on Wednesday. (UN/Mark Garten)
Articles by: Ricardo Vaz

Disclaimer: The contents of this article are of sole responsibility of the author(s). The Centre for Research on Globalization will not be responsible for any inaccurate or incorrect statement in this article. The Centre of Research on Globalization grants permission to cross-post Global Research articles on community internet sites as long the source and copyright are acknowledged together with a hyperlink to the original Global Research article. For publication of Global Research articles in print or other forms including commercial internet sites, contact: [email protected]

www.globalresearch.ca contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available to our readers under the provisions of "fair use" in an effort to advance a better understanding of political, economic and social issues. The material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving it for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material for purposes other than "fair use" you must request permission from the copyright owner.

For media inquiries: [email protected]