Caracas Chronicles

Want to make Rafael Ramirez really uncomfortable? Start talking about the need for a Transitional Government, no matter what the context.

The United Nations Security Council expressed support for Syria mediation efforts on Monday, but in a rare move Venezuela dissociated itself from references in the statement to any mentions of political transition and or transitional governing body.

The 15-member council only adopts statements by consensus. The text was drafted by the five permanent members, the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France, following a briefing by U.N. mediator Staffan de Mistura nearly three weeks ago.

The U.N. statement supports de Mistura’s plan to work towards “political negotiations and a political transition” based on the Geneva Communiqué, a roadmap adopted by world powers in June 2012 calling for political transition while leaving the role of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad unresolved.

It demands all parties work towards implementing the Geneva Communiqué, which includes “the establishment of an inclusive transitional governing body with full executive powers.”

Venezuela’s U.N. Ambassador Rafael Ramirez said his country disagreed with these references but reaffirmed its support for de Mistura’s efforts.

Relax, Rafael. Sometimes a U.N. Statement is only a U.N. Statement.