UK expresses support for Venezuela's opposition leader

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) - The U.K. has given direct support to Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who declared himself the country’s president, a spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said Thursday.

“The 2018 presidential election in Venezuela was neither free nor fair, so the regime’s basis for power is deeply flawed,” the spokesman said.

“We fully support the democratically elected National Assembly with Juan Guaido as its president,” he said.

The statement came amid a government crisis in Caracas, where the leader of the National Assembly, Guaido, on Wednesday declared himself the acting president of Venezuela, a move immediately recognized by the U.S.

May’s spokesman also said: “In relation to the U.S, we think it is totally unacceptable for Venezuela to cut off diplomatic ties. The solution to this crisis lies in working to find a peaceful and diplomatic solution, not in expulsions.”

Venezuela has been rocked by protests since Jan. 10 when Maduro was sworn in for a second term following a vote boycotted by the opposition. Several South American countries, Russia and Turkey have also expressed solidarity with Maduro.

Brazil and the Organization of American States had recognized Guaido as Venezuela's leader prior to his formal announcement. Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama and Paraguay have followed suit while Bolivia and Mexico continue to recognize Maduro.

Maduro has slammed the decision of Trump and said his country was cutting off diplomatic relations with the U.S., giving American diplomats 72 hours to leave the country.

He has repeatedly lashed out at the U.S., saying Washington is waging an economic war against him and his government amid a sweeping sanctions campaign.