Chavez suffers setback in bid for Security Council seat

Hugo Chavez, the President of Venezuela who has based his political appeal partly on waging a personal vendetta against the "imperialist" United States, appeared last night to have been thwarted in his efforts to win a seat on the United Nations Security Council.

After 10 inconclusive rounds of secret voting at the General Assembly to decide which Latin American country should take up one of five non-permanent seats open in January, neither Venezuela nor its rival Guatemala had reached the two-thirds majority required. Further rounds will be held today.

Support for both countries fluctuated significantly between rounds, creating an unusual sense of drama in the chamber. Guatemala ended the day with a clear edge but if it fails to reach the two-thirds mark this morning, Latin American states may have to offer an alternative candidate, possibly Costa Rica.

A failed Venezuela bid would be a setback for Mr Chavez who spent months traveling the world lobbying for support often lavishing countries with aid.

Some diplomats said he had erred with his less-than-diplomatic address to the Assembly last month when he branded President George Bush the "devil ".

By contrast, it would represent a signal victory for the US, which had made no secret of its opposition to Venezuela's bid. After 10 rounds, Guatemala had support from 110 countries against 77 for Venezuela. "There is a clear preponderance for Guatemala," claimed US Ambassador John Bolton "This reminds me of Florida in 2000, votes go up and votes go down."

Mr Chavez, who faces reelection in December, is likely to come under domestic criticism for squandering money on the Council bid.

Venezuela would have held the seat for two years and Mr Chavez had vowed to use it to frustrate the US in the chamber.

Elected without contest to represent other regions yesterday were Italy, Belgium, South Africa and Indonesia.