Italy divided over Venezuela political crisis

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - Italy is resisting the adoption of a joint position with the EU recognizing Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president amid sharp differences within Italy’s ruling coalition government, diplomatic sources said Monday.

According to the sources, Venezuela’s ongoing political crisis has apparently led to a fissure between Italian President Sergio Mattarella and the coalition government.

"We must show responsibility and clarity [by adopting] a common line taken by all our EU partners and allies," Mattarella said Monday.

Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio, meanwhile, has defended his refusal to recognize Guaido as Venezuela’s interim leader, saying, "He hasn’t been elected by the people."

On Jan. 23, Guaido declared himself interim president. Since then, tensions have mounted in the South American nation with embattled President Nicolas Maduro refusing the opposition’s calls to step down.

Maduro accuses the U.S. of orchestrating a “coup” against his government, insisting that he is open to dialogue with Venezuela’s opposition.

The U.S. has led an international campaign to put economic and diplomatic pressure on Maduro, including the imposition of sanctions on the country's state-owned oil company.

Russia, China and Iran have also thrown their support behind Maduro, as has Turkey.

Nearly 19 European countries -- including the U.K., France, Spain and Germany -- have joined the U.S. in recognizing Guaido, along with Canada and several Latin American states.