The European Union says its goal is for Venezuela to hold free elections

Venezuela must hold free elections, because the political and economic crisis in the South American country can destabilize the region, said the Federico Mogherini, holder of the European Union's foreign policyat a summit in Montevideo, Uruguay. Diplomats from 13 countries in Europe and Latin America will try to find common ground to promote a political process leading to "early elections" in Venezuela, said Mogherini.

The president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó, declared himself president in charge on January 23 and obtained the support of the United States and most Latin American nations. China, Russia and Turkey, on the other hand, support President Nicolás Maduro, who ensures the United States plot a coup. Maduro announced yesterday that he wanted to dialogue with the opposition and offered his support to the Montevideo summit.