Venezuela, Libya Lose UNGA Vote for third time in 3 Years

Venezuela and Libya were suspended from voting in United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2018-19 session for not paying dues to 193-member world body. It was for third time in three years these countries have been suspended from voting for unpaid dues.

Key Facts

Overall, 14 countries including Venezuela and Libya were in arrears for paying to global organization. Venezuela was suspended for not paying minimum of $25,200,296 and Libya must pay at least $6,594,842 to restore its voting rights. Venezuela is engulfed in economic and political crisis and Libya has two rival governments, each backed by an array of militias.
The other countries that also lost their voting rights are Central African Republic (CAR), Dominican Republic, Dominica, Marshall Islands, Grenada, Surinam and Yemen. Equatorial Guinea also lost voting rights in UN Security Council. But UNGA through resolution has allowed Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe and Somalia to vote despite being in arrears.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2018