Call elections in eight days or else...Maduro warned

Several European countries today turned up the pressure on embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, warning that they will officially recognise Opposition Leader Juan Guaido if he does not call fresh elections in eight days.

But Venezuela quickly rejected the ultimatum delivered by the leaders of the United Kingdom (UK), Spain, Germany and France.

Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza insisted, during a “heated” meeting of the United Nations Security Council earlier today, that Maduro's presidency was legitimate and said his country would not be pressured into calling elections.

"Nobody is going to give us deadlines or tell us if there are elections or not," Arreaza said.

Maduro was sworn in for a second term earlier this month following last year’s elections, which were marred by an opposition boycott and allegations of vote-rigging.

Since then he has come under domestic and international pressure, which intensified on Wednesday after Guaidó declared himself "acting president."

Several countries, including the United States, have recognised Guaidó as president.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, in a message posted on Twitter, said: "Spain has a responsibility to Latin America... we do not seek to change or remove governments, we want democracy and free elections in Venezuela."

France and Germany later issued similar statements.

UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt insisted that the election in Venezuela was "deeply flawed" and repeating his view that Maduro was "not the legitimate leader" of Venezuela.

In one of the tense moments at the UN Security Council meeting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Russia and China of "propping up a failed regime" and said it was time to "support the Venezuelan people immediately".

"No more delays, no more games. Either you stand with the forces of freedom, or you're in league with Maduro and his mayhem," he said.

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