France, Spain and the United Kingdom have recognized Juan Guaidó as "president in charge" of Venezuela

Governments of France, Spain and United Kingdom they were the first in Europe to recognize Juan Guaidó as "president in charge" of Venezuela, in the middle of the political, economic and social crisis that crosses the country led by the chavista Nicolás Maduro.

The European powers took this step in accordance with the ultimatum they had agreed for Maduro to call elections in eight days. After this term, they recognized the leader of the opposition as "president in charge," as proclaimed by the president of the National Assembly on 23 January. It has also been recognized by Austria, Sweden, Denmark and Latvia.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Guaidó "It has the legitimacy to organize presidential elections". He also left the door open for recognition of the European Union. "We will contact our European colleagues to rephrase this request and create a contact group to accompany the transition so that it is possible with the European countries that wish to join," he said.

In the same vein, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the goal was for Guaidó to call a presidential election. "as soon as possible." In a brief statement to the Moncloa Palace, he announced his intention to promote within the UN and EU a "humanitarian aid plan to urgently address the serious situation that prevails in Venezuela ". "Everyone who suffers the consequences of the Maduro conflict and regime is the people of Venezuela," he said.

He expected that in the coming hours, he will talk with the European institutions and with the European and Latin American governments "who wish to join forces in the cause of democracy in Venezuela" to support this position. "Spain will not take a step back in this effort and will live up to what is expected of it in this conflict," he said.

British Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt explained through his Twitter account: "Maduro has not called for a presidential election in the eight days we have set.The UK and its European allies, now recognizes Juan Guaidó as Acting Constitutional President until credible elections can be held, "he said.

Several European Union countries, including Spain, France and Germany, have given Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro, eight days a week to call for free presidential elections with democratic guarantees. .

But the Venezuelan president rejected this warning, saying he would not leave power or call a presidential election because he said he did not accept "anyone's ultimatums" . He also insisted that his country was threatened "by the world's greatest power" vis-à-vis the United States, by the pressure exerted by the administration of Donald Trump on his government.