World War 3 threat: Venezuela's Maduro REJECTS election demands - global crisis looming

EXPRESS 2019-01-27 17:13:00

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Nicolas Maduro has rejected calls from International states to call an election (Image: GETTY)

The power struggle between President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader, Juan Guaidó has intensified this week after Mr. Guaidó declared himself as President. This followed on from mass protests against the corrupt leader who has caused food shortages across Venezuela. Mr. Maduro has shown no sign of standing down and on Sunday said Mr. Guaidó had violated the country’s constitution by declaring himself as a leader.

On Saturday, Donald Trump’s administration, which has recognized Mr. Guaidó as Venezuela’s leader, told the world to “pick a side” and not trade with Mr. Maduro’s government.

The corrupt President said he is open to talks with Mr. Trump and a meeting with the Republican firebrand “was improbable but not impossible.”

The UK, France, Germany, and Spain have all said they would recognize Mr. Guaidó as President if Mr. Maduro fails to call a fresh election within eight days.

This was an ultimatum which Russia said was “absurd”.

Juan Guaidó declared himself as President of Venezuela on Wednesday (Image: GETTY)

Nicolas Maduro has caused food shortages across Venezuela (Image: GETTY)

Meanwhile, the Venezuelan foreign minister called it “childlike”.

The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has also voiced his support for Mr. Maduro in a phone call on Thursday.

The US, Canada, and most Latin American countries said Mr. Maduro’s second-term election win last May was fraudulent.

Speaking at a UN meeting, called by the US, Secretary of state Mike Pompeo said Mr. Maduro’s “socialist experiment” had caused the economy to collapse and reduced ordinary Venezuelans to searching through bins for food.

Donald Trump’s administration has recognized Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s leader (Image: GETTY)

Mr. Pompeo told the council: “Now it is time for every other nation to pick a side.

“Either you stand with the forces of freedom, or you’re in league with Maduro and his mayhem.

“We call on all members of the Security Council to support Venezuela’s democratic transition and interim president Guido's role.”

Tensions have started to escalate around the globe over the situation in Venezuela.

The Country’s economic and political crisis has forced mass emigration and inflation is predicted to rise to 10 million percent this year.

Mr. Maduro still retains the loyalty of the armed forces.

But Venezuela’s main military envoy to the US defected to Guaidó on Saturday.

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