GREEN LIGHT: Spain and UK support new Venezuela leader as political crisis continues

SPANISH Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has recognised Juan Guaido as the interim president of Venezuela.

The Spanish leader was joined by other European nations, the UK, France and Germany, in supporting a new leader in the South American country.

“I recognise the president of Venezuela’s assembly, Mr Juan Guaido, as president in charge of Venezuela,” Sanchez said in a TV statement.

Meanwhile, UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “Let’s hope this takes us closer to ending humanitarian crisis.”

It comes after the under-fire Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro failed to meet an eight-day deadline to call new general elections.

Guaido declared himself the new president of Venezuela, amid a political crisis, in which 3 million people have fled the country.

Under Maduro’s leadership the country has also seen inflation reach 1,300,000%, with millions unable to buy daily essentials like bread and vegetables.