US warns violence against Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido to be met with ‘significant response’

The White House has promised a “significant response” to any violence against Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido pressure increased on President Nicolas Maduro to call an election.

On Saturday foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt said the UK will recognise Venezuelan opposition politician Juan Guaido as leader unless elections are called within eight days.

France, Spain and Germany have also pledged to support Guaido who last Wednesday declared himself the country’s interim President as protestors took to the streets against Maduro.

White House national security adviser John Bolton warned yesterday that any violence towards US diplomatic staff or Guaido would spark action from the US.

He said: “Any violence and intimidation against U.S. diplomatic personnel, Venezuela’s democratic leader, Juan Guiado (sic), or the National Assembly itself would represent a grave assault on the rule of law and will be met with a significant response."

Venezuela has spiralled into catastrophe under Maduro’s leadership with widespread shortages of food, medicine and basic supplies, causing millions to flee the country.

The president has rejected international calls to hold an election, and said that Guaido has violated the country’s constitution.

The president’s second term election win in May has been declared fraudulent by Washington, Latin America and many European countries.