9 EU countries recognize Guaido as head of Venezuela

Several EU countries announced on February 4 that they would recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president of Venezuela. This was stated by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Also, the foreign ministers of Sweden, Denmark, Latvia and the Netherlands announced the recognition of the opposition leader as interim president of Venezuela, Kommersant reports .

On February 2, Germany, France, Spain, and then Great Britain and the Netherlands announced their intention to recognize the chairman of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó, as interim president if new elections are not announced in the country within eight days.

Guaidó previously declared himself acting president of Venezuela. Hispower was recognized by the United States and a number of other countries. Incumbent President Nicholas Maduro said that the American authorities are behind the coup attempt in the country.