Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has rejected a deadline set by Europe for free and fair elections. „They have to take back this ultimatum. Nobody can give us an ultimatum, „he said in an interview broadcast today by CNN Türk.
„Venezuela is not tied to Europe. That’s a joke, „Maduro continued. Berlin, Paris, Madrid and London had given the controversial head of state yesterday a deadline of eight days to announce elections. If Maduro refused, the respective heads of state were ready to recognize Juan Guaido as interim president.
Close relationship with Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has close ties with Maduro. He told his counterparts and stated his support after 35-year-old Guaido called himself interim president on Wednesday.
Maduro told CNN Türk that he was „very motivated“ despite the situation. In the name of democracy and freedom, his country is going through a „historic war“. He blamed the US, which is „attacking“ Venezuela, for the situation. Asked about his plan for the future, Maduro said, „Lead and defend Venezuela.“
In any case, the political fronts remain hardened: The international community yesterday could not agree on a common attitude to the power struggle in Venezuela and continues to present itself divided.
