Venezuela accuses U.S. of attempting to foil its UNSC bid
The Venezuelan government on Tuesday condemned the United States for lobbying allies to foil its bid for a seat on the UN Security Council.

Washington was trying to prevent Venezuela's access to the UN Security Council as it was worried that the move, if successful, would set a stumbling block to the U.S. ambitions and pose a threat to its dignity and strength, Maripili Hernandez, Venezuelan deputy foreign minister for North America, said in a statement.

The United States has no right to pressure its allies against Venezuela, and it was "disrespectful and immoral," he added.

"We've got our views on who are good candidates. And obviously we think that Guatemala would be an excellent one, given its participation in peacekeeping operations," U.S. Deputy State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said on Tuesday.

"Guatemalans have shed blood for the U.N. And we believe they're a strong candidate and deserving of support," he added.

Venezuela is competing for a regional seat on the 15-member Security Council with Central American nation Guatemala, which is backed by Washington.

Analysts say that among Latin American countries, Argentina and Brazil are expected to support Venezuela, Mexico and Central American nations are expected to back Guatemala.

The result of the race for the regional seat is expected to come out in January. But the issue will be submitted to the UN Assembly if the region fails to produce a consensus candidate.