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At UN, Venezuela's Rival Delegations Circle Each Other

Associated Press

   UNITED NATIONS - They came from the same country. They were in town for
   the same reason -- as diplomatic representatives of their government.
   And they took pains to make sure their paths never, ever crossed.

   Two separate diplomatic delegations represented Venezuela at the U.N.
   General Assembly this year, shadowing and circling each other in a
   fierce fight for international recognition as the country reels from an
   economic collapse and political uncertainty.

   One set of diplomats represented President Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela's
   head of state in the eyes of the United Nations system. The other group
   represented the shadow government of opposition leader Juan Guaido,
   recognized as Venezuela's rightful president by the U.S. and more than
   50 other countries that have condemned Maduro's 2018 re-election as
   fraudulent.

   Neither rival leader showed up at the world gathering. But Venezuela
   nonetheless commanded attention, with U.S. President Donald Trump
   personally hosting one of four high-level meetings on the country's
   political and humanitarian crisis.

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