Maduro rejects European countries’ ultimatum

cde.news desk 4 February 2019, 00:55 · 1 min read

epa07325959 A handout photo made availalbe by the Miraflores Press, shows the president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro (C), and Venezuelan Minister of Defense, Vladimir Padrino (R), during military exercises at Fort Paramacay, in Carabobo, Venezuela, 27 January 2019. Maduro led on Sunday military maneuvers with soldiers, as the opposition went to barracks to deliver to the uniformed of the country the text of a law with which they seek to get them to disown the president. EPA-EFE/MIRAFLORES PRESS / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

Venezuela’s embattled leader Nicolas Maduro has rejected an ultimatum from European countries to call elections. The move clears the way for seven EU countries to recognize his rival Juan Guaido as president.

In an interview with Spanish TV network Sexta, he said he would not “cave in to pressure” by those urging him to step down.

Several EU countries had been urging Maduro to call for new elections before midnight on Sunday. Germany, France, Britain, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and Belgium have said they will recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as president if Maduro faied to announce a second vote by midnight on Sunday.

Topics Venezuela