European Parliament Head Voices Support For Venezuela's Self-Declared President Guaido

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2019) European Parliament President Antonio Tajani has expressed support for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has declared himself the country's interim president, recognizing his legitimacy.

On Wednesday, the United States urged Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to step down and let Guaido to assume the presidency. Maduro responded that Venezuela was severing diplomatic ties with Washington and gave 72 hours "to all diplomatic and consular staff of the United States to leave the country.

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"I am closely following the situation in Venezuela. Unlike Maduro, Guaido has democratic legitimacy. It is necessary to respect demonstrations and freedom of expression of the people who are tired of suffering from hunger and abuse by Maduro," Tajani said on Twitter.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has said commenting on the situation in Venezuela that the European Union was calling for immediate start of political process in the country and expressed support for the opposition-run National Assembly.