Germany, Spain, and France give Venezuela’s Maduro ultimatum
Germany on Saturday gave Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro eight days to call fresh elections to help end a years-long political crisis in the South American country.
Government spokeswoman Martina Fietz said on Twitter that Berlin was ready to recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as acting president unless a new vote is called in the next week.
“The people of Venezuela must be free to decide their future. If elections are not announced within 8 days, we are ready to recognize Juan Guaido as interim president, who will initiate the political process. [We’re] working closely with European partners,” Fietz wrote.
Read more: Venezuela explained: Who backs Maduro, who backs Guaido?
French President Emmanual Macron, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and the United Kingdom’s foreign minister, Jeremy Hunt, made similar announcements on social media.
Sanchez’s statement said: “We do not seek to put or remove governments, we want democracy and free elections in #Venezuela.”
Meanwhile, Russia accused the US of plotting a “coup” against Maduro at the UN. Moscow also attempted, unsuccessfully, to block a UN Security Council meeting on the crisis.
EU working on position
The statements are the most explicit yet from EU member states as the 28-member bloc drafts a joint statement with regards to its position on the crisis in Venezuela.
Germany and Spain had on Friday called for fresh elections but without giving a deadline.
Maduro, who came to power 2013 as the designated heir to the late and hugely-popular Hugo Chavez, has been mired in crisis since the Venezuelan economy tanked amid falling oil prices.
Populist social policies, introduced by his predecessor, have become economic liabilities that have resulted in hyperinflation, high unemployment, and shortages of basic goods.
Maduro won a second term in office last May in a vote the opposition and neighboring countries deemed was fraudulent, which has intensified pressure on him to step down. Until now, he has retained the loyalty of the powerful military.
Read more: Venezuela: Who will the military support?
Guaido, the 35-year-old head of the National Assembly, proclaimed himself acting president during massive street rallies this week.
The United States, Brazil, Argentina and other countries have already endorsed Guaido in repudiation of Maduro.
Since his self-proclamation as interim leader, Guaido has rejected an offer of talks with Maduro and called for a “major demonstration.”
mm/rc (AFP, Reuters)
Article source: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-spain-and-france-give-venezuela-s-maduro-ultimatum/a-47247208