The UK, Germany, Spain, France and several other European countries have followed the US in officially recognising opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president of Venezuela.
Thousands continue to protest across the country in a call for current President, Nicolás Maduro, to give up power.
Last Wednesday, Guaidó proclaimed himself president of Venezuela, citing a clause in the country’s constitution.
Guaidó was swiftly backed by the US but China and Russia were quick to voice their support for Maduro.
At least 15 EU countries have voiced support for Guaidó, but other countries, such as Greece, have expressed support for Nicolás Maduro.
The Venezuelan government has responded to EU countries that back Guaidó by saying they would be reviewing future relations with their respective governments.
Upon the announcement of the US government backing Guaidó as President, Maduro broke off all relations with the US and have their diplomats 72 hours to leave the country.
Juan Guaidó has called on all people who oppose Maduro to continue protesting “until Venezuela is liberated.”
Venezuela’s political situation has been in a constant downward spiral for years due to hyperinflation, power cuts and a severe shortage of food and medicine.
In Maduro’s first term in office, the economy sharply declined which has left its currency, bolivar, worth next to nothing. Many of the Venezuelans put the blame on the socialist government.
Maduro was re-elected last year in May in a highly controversial election which many opposition parties boycotted due to the amount of candidates that had been barred from running while others had been jailed.
President Maduro still has the backing of the Venezuelan military and has refused to rule out the possibility of a civil war as pressure continues to mount on him to stand down.
