New York, September 1 (teleSUR-RHC)-- The Venezuelan Ambassador to the United Nations Rafael Ramirez said his country's presence in the Security Council represents an opportunity to “make heard the voice of developing countries, the countries of the South” at the most powerful body of the worldwide organization.

In an exclusive interview, Ramirez told La Jornada that participating in the Security Council was an objective of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.  The diplomat said Venezuela tried to be part of the U.N. Security Council in 2006.
   
“However, our attempts were boycotted by the United States, mostly ... but we finally were elected into the Security Council last year after an historic vote,” he said.  Venezuela received 184 votes in favor of the country forming part of that Council.  “This allowed us to speak in a clear and transparent way.” 

The Venezuelan official said his country is always on the side of sovereignty as a fundamental position.  Having said this, he explained that Venezuela is making sure all decisions taken by the Security Council respect international law.

He said that on a number of occasions, the Council has intervened in violation of international law.  He pointed to Libya, when the UN Security Council decided to give a green light to an intervention which “shook up destabilization and ungovernability,” creating fertile soil for terrorism.  Ramirez said this has also happened in other countries in North Africa and the Middle East.

Venezuela's UN ambassador emphasized the urgent need for the Security Council to restrict itself to the respect of sovereignty of all countries.  Ramirez mentioned the case of Syria, “where some members of the Security Council take it upon themselves to decide whether a government is legitimate or not... a decision that corresponds only to the people of Syria.”

Venezuela is also opposed to “the Security Council's intention of supposedly protecting certain countries,” as is the case of many in Africa.  More than 50 percent of the decisions taken by the Council are regarding Africa.  “We have said that this is because of a colonial past... and the ties the ancient world's colonial powers still have over the countries they claim to protect.”

Ramirez also said Venezuela is advocating in favor of a reform to the Security Council because it no longer reflects the geopolitical reality of the current world we live in.  He referred to the five permanent members of the Security Council who have veto powers and the 10 rotating members.