More European countries have spoken out in recognizing the upstart government of opposition leader Juan Guaido in Venezuela, opposing the long-time president and successor of Hugh Chavez, Nicolas Maduro. The countries now openly opposing Maduro include the U.S. (an early adopter), Canada, the UK, Spain (important symbolically because of historical ties), and most of the nations of the European Union. The European Union itself, however, has not come out in favor of Guaido due to the veto of Italy, which has taken the position of non-interference – though its government is divided over the issue as well.
Latin America itself is divided between the two claims to power in Venezuela. Several countries with left-leaning governments like Mexico and Nicaragua have come out in support of Maduro, while others including the largest country in the region, Brazil, have opposed him.
Maduro has other powerful supporters in the world. Russia supports the Maduro government, as President Vladimir Putin has long been critical of Western attempts to depose foreign governments; also, he consistently opposes any position the West, particularly the U.S., takes in international politics. China nominally supports Maduro but has taken a more low-key approach, saying that they prefer not to meddle in the internal politics of other countries.
Maduro, though president, has faced accusations of being illegitimate due to election tampering and authoritarian tendencies. Juan Guaido, the opposition leader, is the head of the National Assembly, considered by many to be the only legitimately elected political body in the country. He recently declared himself interim president until a new election can be held.
