European Powers Poised to Recognize Venezuela’s Juan Guaido

Venezuela's National Assembly head Juan Guaido declares himself the country's "acting president" during a mass opposition rally against leader Nicolas Maduro, on the anniversary of 1958 uprising that overthrew military dictatorship in Caracas on Jan. 23, 2019. Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images

MADRID—Major European countries threw their weight behind Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaido on Jan. 26, saying they would recognize him as interim president if Nicolas Maduro failed to call elections within eight days.

Britain, Germany, France, and Spain all said they would recognize Guaido unless fresh elections were announced.