Senators to Kerry: No Venezuela on UN Security Council

A bipartisan group of senators asked Secretary of State John Kerry to block Venezuela from gaining a seat on the United Nations Security Council.

Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) sent the letter to Kerry on Thursday.

{mosads}“Venezuela’s membership on the U.N. Security Council would constitute a serious blow for the United States and United Nations at a time when we must collaborate to address the world’s most pressing challenges,” the letter stated. “We urge you to lead a diplomatic effort at the United Nations to deny Venezuela a seat on the U.N. Security Council.”

The senators said Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has violated human rights and the freedom of his own people, killing and torturing dissenters and protesters.

“In addition to President Maduro’s vocal disdain for the United Nations, his government’s actions, at the U.N. and at home, run counter to the founding principles and norms of the U.N. Charter, namely the pursuit of international peace and security and the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all people,” the senators wrote.