UK will recognise Guaido unless Venezuela holds new elections – foreign secretary Hunt
Britain has become the latest western nation to throw its weight behind Venezuelan opposition politician Juan Guaido as pressure increases on President Nicolas Maduro.
The UK will recognise Guaido as president unless new elections are called within eight days, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said.
“@jguaido is the right person to take Venezuela forward,” Hunt tweeted.
“If there are not fresh and fair elections announced within eight days UK will recognise him as interim president to take forward the political process towards democracy.”
Hunt’s comments echo those by the leaders of France, Spain and Germany earlier today.
The countries follow the United States which earlier this week recognised Guaido as Venezuela’s president.
US secretary of state Mike Pompeo today said countries must decide where they stand in the ongoing conflict.
Read more: Venezuela is a humanitarian crisis – and the British left just laughs
“Now it is time for every other nation to pick a side. No more delays, no more games. Either you stand with the forces of freedom, or you're in league with Maduro and his mayhem,” he said.
It comes as Russia failed to block a UN Security Council meeting on Venezuela requested by the United States.