The UN Security Council’s double veto on Venezuela

In a diplomatic game of chicken, the UK, France and the United States squared off against Russia and China. The United States had waited weeks to put forward its draft resolution, which described embattled Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro’s presidency as the result of elections that were “neither free nor fair.” The resolution also called for new presidential elections, and delivery access for foreign humanitarian aid.

Meanwhile, the Russians were waiting in the wings with a rival draft resolution, which condemned outside interference in Venezuela’s affairs, citing unnamed “threats to use force” against Venezuela.