Venezuela: Juan Guaido recognized as president by 19 European countries

The opponent Juan Guaido has been recognized as interim president of Venezuela by 19 countries of the European Union, immediately accused by the socialist president Nicolas Maduro of "supporting the putschist plans" of the United States.

While diplomatic support is growing, Juan Guaido, 35, is trying to organize the arrival of humanitarian aid to Venezuela, where the population suffers significant shortages.

Monday, the day after the expiration of a European ultimatum summoning Socialist President Nicolas Maduro to call an early presidential election, 19 EU countries including the United Kingdom, France and Germany have taken the step and have recognized Mr. Guaido.

These supporters were denounced as an "interference" by Russia, one of Maduro's main allies. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for his part, accused the EU of seeking to overthrow Maduro in defiance of "democracy".

The 19 EU countries have thus joined the position taken by the United States, Canada and a dozen Latin American countries including Colombia and Brazil.

The EU, however, remains divided: Italy has blocked a joint EU statement, according to diplomatic sources in Brussels.

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