At the United Nations, both the US and Venezuela are claiming victory in their standoff over Venezuela’s race with Guatemala for a seat on the UN Security Council. The two Latin American countries agreed to nominate Panama for the seat after neither was able to attract a two-thirds majority. On Thursday, Venezuelan Ambassador Francisco Javier Arias Cardenas said his government had stood up to American intimidation.

Venezuelan UN Ambassador Francisco Javier Arias Cardenas: I think we won really. We won in that the General Assembly won in freedom. We won in finding out our strengths and I think, if they can learn from this, Mr. Bolton and the government of Mr. Bush, that they can not impose things through force.”

Meanwhile, US Ambassador John Bolton said the Bush administration has achieved its main goal.

US UN Ambassador John Bolton: We would have looked forward to working with Guatemala on the Council, we’ll now look forward to working with Panama if in fact GRULAC endorses that. I would say the defeat of Venezuela certainly accomplishes our principal objective.”