ANKARA (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 27th January, 2019) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro urged EU members on Sunday to call off their ultimatum stating that they would recognize the head of opposition-controlled National Assembly of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, as interim president of the country, if new elections are not announced in Venezuela within eight days.
The ultimatum, announced on Saturday, has been so far supported by the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Spain.
"Europe is making a mistake regarding Venezuela once again. Despite our 200-year independence, they ignore our history. We are proud of our sovereignty ... They must give up their ultimatum. No one can give us ultimatums," Maduro told the CNN Turk broadcaster.
The president added that he was open to a dialogue with the Venezuelan opposition but nonetheless accused Guaido of violating the country's constitution.
Maduro also expressed gratitude to Turkey and its president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for support.
"His [Erdogan's] call with the words of support did not come as a surprise to me. Mr. Erdogan is a brave man who respects democratic values," the Venezuelan president added.
The situation in Venezuela, which was struggling to overcome a political crisis amid the opposition's refusal to recognize Maduro's re-election last year, significantly escalated on Tuesday when the country's National Assembly declared the president a usurper. The very next day, Guaido proclaimed himself Venezuela's acting president, with Maduro, in turn, calling the opposition leader a US puppet and accusing Washington of organizing a coup in Venezuela.
Some countries, including Brazil, Canada and the United States, which are among those that continue to insist that Maduro was re-elected unfairly, immediately recognized Guaido's interim presidency. Other states, such as Russia and Mexico, voiced their support for Maduro.
