Venezuela and Guatemala are taking their battle over a seat as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council from the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Havana to the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York, where President Hugo Chávez plans to defeat the United States -which supports the Central American country's bid.

The UN annual debate, which opens on Tuesday, is the highest level international summit ahead of the election -scheduled for October 16- of the new non-permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Since the Latin American and Caribbean Group has reached no consensus, it will not endorse any candidacy, and the 192 members of the General Assembly are then to choose between Guatemala and Venezuela to replace Argentina at the UN Security Council, AFP reported.

The contenders have to gain two thirds of the votes of the General Assembly, that is to say, 128 votes.

Venezuela claims it has gathered the support it needs. "The number of votes has been sufficiently assessed. The numbers say we are going to win," said Venezuelan Foreign Affairs vice-minister Jorge Valero during the Non-Aligned Movement 14th Summit held in Havana over the weekend.

However, neither Guatemala nor its supporters share Valero's view.

"Venezuela has even announced that it has gathered the votes it needs to win. We are not so sure about that, as we have confirmed we have huge support, and we are moving forward," said Guatemalan Foreign Affairs minister Eduardo Stein.

China and Russia have vowed to support Venezuela, while the US is endorsing the Guatemalan bid.