Venezuela is hoping to take a big step into the international spotlight when the 193-nation United Nations General Assembly will decide next week if Caracas can secure a two-year, temporary seat on the U.N. Security Council.

It’s caused a huge debate in the international community, with Op-Eds appearing in U.S. newspapers urging the U.N. not to allow Venezuela the seat. CCTV America’s Martin Markovits reports.

It’s almost certain that Venezuela has secured the required two-thirds majority votes to win a two-year temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council, which has the task of overseeing international peace and security. It would be the first time Venezuela showcases international power in the post-Chavez world.

But a rash of editorials in the U.S. newspapers are urging President Barack Obama to apply more pressure to stop Venezuela’s entrance. Critics say that Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro will use the U.N. post to back U.S. enemies like Syria, Cuba and Iran and give support to Colombia’s leftist rebel group, FARC.

The U.S. has also criticized Venezuela for its alleged heavy-handed response to opposition protests that rocked the country earlier this year. The nonprofit Human Rights Watch and the U.S. State Department also alleged that some protesters where held indefinitely and even tortured.

Despite the criticisms, Venezuelan officials believe that their inclusion in the Security Council will bring a much needed voice against the U.S.-led military campaigns in the Middle East and around the world

Maduro’s predecessor and mentor Hugo Chavez was a longtime critic of U.S. political and economic power. The United Nations was also the place where Chavez gave an speech in 2006, calling then U.S. President George W. Bush, the devil.

Under Maduro, Venezuela continues to be one of the biggest supporters of Palestine and one of Israel’s fiercest critics.

In what could be a rough start for the U.N. Security Council’s potential newest member, the U.N. adopted a resolution on Wednesday saying the Maduro government should immediately release opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez who has been in jail for almost nine months.