Panama Gets UN Security Council Seat

Panama was finally voted in to the last remaining non-permanent, Security Council seat at the United Nations, Tuesday, ending weeks of deadlock between Guatemala and Venezuela. Panama, which won 42 votes more than the 120 needed, will take up the seat on January 1, replacing current occupant Argentina. The battle between Guatemala and Venezuela for the only Latin American seat available was billed by many as a battle against the will of the US, which had openly backed Guatemala’s bid. Panama was finally accepted as a compromise candidate. The 10 non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council have a two-year tenure (two seats are allocated for Latin America and the Caribbean region). Only five of the 10 are up for renewal at the end of this year. The permanent members of the Council, who enjoy the power of veto, include the US, Russia, the UK, France and China.