VENEZUELA: Maduro rejects EU ultimatum to call for fresh elections

Embattled president of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro has rejected an eight-day ultimatum issued by the European Union to call for fresh elections, else opposition leader Juan Guaido will be recognised as the legitimate president.

“Nobody can give us an ultimatum,” Maduro said in an interview with broadcaster CNN Turk aired on Sunday, a day after France, Germany and Spain threatened to recognise opposition leader Juan Guaido as president if elections were not announced within eight days.

Spain, France and Germany all joined in handing Maduro the ultimatum to recognise Guaido as Venezuela’s president unless Maduro calls for fresh elections.

“If within eight days there are no fair, free and transparent elections called in Venezuela, Spain will recognise Juan Guaido as Venezuelan president,” Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a televised announcement on Saturday.

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Guaido, the 35-year-old head of the National Assembly, proclaimed himself acting president of Venezuela during massive street rallies this week.

Maduro also described opposition leader’s declaration unconstitutional, but says he is open to talks with the US.

The ultimatum by the EU comes after the United States Department ordered non-emergency government employees to leave Venezuela amid growing crises over Maduro’s future as the country’s leader.

Reports say the US Embassy in Caracas has also advised its citizens to “strongly consider” leaving the country.

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