Major European Nations Recognize Guaido as Venezuela’s President, Reports Reuters

By Jose Elías Rodríguez and Sudip Kar-Gupta

MADRID/PARIS – On Monday, eight European nations aligned with the United States in recognizing Juan Guaido, an opposition leader, as Venezuela’s interim president, intensifying the global standoff against Nicolás Maduro’s socialist government.

The coordinated recognition by Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, and Germany followed the expiration of an eight-day deadline given to Maduro to initiate a new election.

Maduro, labeled a dictator for his governance of the OPEC nation with a population of 30 million, dismissed the ultimatum, accusing European leaders of blindly following the agenda of President Donald Trump.

Guaido, who heads the opposition-dominated National Assembly, proclaimed himself interim leader last month, a declaration that has divided international opinions and sparked protests among Venezuelans. Trump was quick to endorse Guaido, while EU countries expressed reservations about the implications of backing a self-proclaimed leader.

Russia and China, both significant investors in Venezuela, continue to support Maduro as part of a broader geopolitical struggle with the United States played out in various regions.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez affirmed, “I recognize the president of Venezuela’s assembly, Mr. Juan Guaido, as president in charge of Venezuela,” calling for an urgent, fair electoral process.

French President Emmanuel Macron echoed this sentiment on social media, stating, “Venezuelans have the right to express themselves freely and democratically. France recognizes Juan Guaido as ‘interim president’ to implement an electoral process.”

UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt also recognized Guaido as the interim constitutional president, emphasizing the need for credible elections and denouncing Maduro’s regime.

Maduro, a former union leader and bus driver, assumed power in 2013 following Hugo Chavez’s death. His administration has been marked by severe economic decline and the displacement of around 3 million Venezuelans. He attributes the crisis to a “U.S.-led economic war” and claims Washington aims to instigate a coup to control Venezuela’s oil reserves, the largest in the world, which have seen production plummet under his leadership.

Critics argue that mismanagement and corruption during both Maduro’s and Chavez’s tenures have led to widespread poverty, while dissent has been ruthlessly suppressed.

In response to the EU’s recognition of Guaido, Russia denounced it as foreign interference, insisting that Venezuelans should deal with their internal issues. The Maduro administration is repaying loans from both Russia and China with oil.

Meanwhile, a coalition of Latin American countries and Canada convened on Monday to bolster their pressure on Maduro’s government.

Although Maduro claimed victory in last year’s election, many denounce it as fraudulent, noting that two viable opposition candidates were barred from participation and that food assistance was manipulated for political gain.

Non-EU member Switzerland expressed worries and called for a “constitutional solution” to the crisis while advocating for Guaido’s protection, though it stopped short of formally recognizing him as president.