In an ultimatum to Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, Britain, France, Spain, and Germany have said they would recognise opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president unless he calls for elections.
In tweets published on Saturday, the leaders of France and Spain, Emmanuel Macron and Pedro Sanchez, said they would recognise Guado as “president in charge” if Venezuela is not given free elections, said an Euronews report on Sunday.
“The Venezuelan people must be able to freely decide on their future,” said Macron, as did German government spokeswoman Martina Fietz.
“If within eight days there are no fair, free and transparent elections called in Venezuela, Spain will recognise Juan Guaidó as Venezuelan president”, said Sanchez.
In a statement, the EU’s foreign police chief Federica Mogherini also urged for Venezuela to hold free, transparent and credible presidential elections “in accordance with international democratic standards and the Venezuelan constitutional order.”
“In the absence of an announcement on the organisation of fresh elections with the necessary guarantees over the next days, the EU will take further actions, including on the issue of recognition of the country’s leadership in line with article 233 of the Venezuelan constitution,” she said. (UNI)
Venezuelan crisis: European countries send Maduro major ultimatum
