Vice President Pence urged the European Union to denounce Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Saturday and recognize National Assembly head Juan Guaidó as the country’s leader, increasing diplomatic pressure as a potential standoff brewed over blocked shipments of U.S. humanitarian aid. Major European countries have followed the U.S. lead in recognizing Guaidó as Venezuela’s leader, but the European Union as an institution has not. Neither has the United Nations, where Maduro is attempting to rally support. Once more the Old World can take a strong stand in support of freedom in the New World, Pence said. Nicolás Maduro is a dictator with no legitimate claim to power, and Nicolás Maduro must go,” Pence said.

Source: Washington Post February 16, 2019 17:18 UTC