Credit: Juan Guaidótwitter.com /    Self-declared interim Venezuela president Juan Guaidó.

By Gary Raynaldo   DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

The European Parliament today recognized Juan Guaidó as the “legitimate interim” president of Venezuela. Last week, Guaidó declared himself interim president of the Latin American nation in a move to oust President Nicholas Maduro, unleashing a wave of protests and political chaos.  EU politicians voted 439 in favour to 104 against, with 88 abstentions, at a special session in Brussels on Thursday to recognize Guaidó as interim leader. In the resolution, EU politicians urged Foreign Policy Chief Federica Moghernia and member states to also recognize Guaidó “as the only legitimate interim president of the country until new, free, transparent and credible presidential elections can be called to restore democracy.” Members of the European Parliament also condemned “the fierce repression and violence, resulting in killings and casualties and demand the de facto  Venezuelan authorities to halt all human rights violence. EU politicians further supported the call by the UN Secretary-General for an independent and full investigation into the violence. At least 40 people are believed to have been killed and 850 others detained in Venezuela’s recent violence, according to the United Nations.

It appears the EU is setting a dangerous precedent in recognizing self-declared political leaders like Guaidó.