THE U.N. Security Council on Tuesday debated over the political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, with different opinions on how to resolve the Venezuelan impasse.

Jorge Arreaza, Venezuela’s minister of the People’s Power for Foreign Affairs, called upon the council to adopt a resolution rejecting the use of force, or the threat of such use, against his country, during a meeting attended by nearly 40 member states of the U.N.

The Under Secretary General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, said in her briefing to the council that the situation in Venezuela has been “an alarming escalation of tensions,” and the humanitarian crisis is scaling up.

“Venezuelan actors across the political spectrum have the responsibility to put the interests of the Venezuelan people at the center of their actions at this most critical time,” DiCarlo said.

Elliott Abrams, the special representative for Venezuela of the United States, said that the United States and many other countries call for humanitarian assistance for Venezuelans.

A U.S.-backed drive to deliver “humanitarian aid” to Venezuela through border crossings on Feb. 23 met strong resistance from the Venezuelan Government as President Nicolas Maduro believes the aid, mainly from the United States, is a smokescreen for a military invasion.

The Venezuelan Government has closed borders with Brazil and Colombia and some air and sea routes.

Russian representative Vassily Nebenzia said Venezuela’s people must resolve their own problems through solutions based on respect for national sovereignty.

Ma Zhaoxu, China’s permanent representative to the U.N., said that China opposes military intervention in Venezuela.

(Xinhua)