Members of the UN Security Council on Saturday voted to discuss the situation in Venezuela at the US suggestion, UN press service reported. 

Nine countries voted in favor, four against, with two countries abstaining.

According to the Permanent Russian Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, Russia “sees no external threats in the situation of Venezuela.”

The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Council’s purpose is to safeguard international peace and security.

“Former President Maduro bears full responsibility for this tragedy,” he said. 

On January 23, opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself acting president of Venezuela. Maduro blasted these actions as a coup d’etat organized by US and announced that it was severing diplomatic relations with the US.