US, Russia clash at UN over crisis in Venezuela
The United States urged the United Nations Security Council Saturday to recognize a Venezuelan opposition leader as the country's president to replace authoritarian leader Nicholas Maduro, but Russia quickly voiced strong opposition to such action.
At an emergency session called by the United States, Moscow and Washington clashed over what the Trump administration characterized as a return to democracy, and Russia labeled an illegal coup that meddled in a sovereign nation's domestic affairs.
"The time is now to support the Venezuelan people, recognize the new democratic government led by interim President (Juan) Guaido, and end this nightmare," U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. "No excuses."
