Those defending democracy side with democracy: Turkey

By Sibel Ugurlu

ANKARA (AA) - Those who fight for democracy should side with those who are elected and champion democracy, Turkey's president said on Thursday, referring to the U.S. recognizing a Venezuelan opposition leader as interim president, rather than President Nicolas Maduro.

"If Maduro takes a tough stance... I believe the Venezuelan people will back their elected president," Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a joint news conference alongside visiting Maltese President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.

"If you do not respect election results, then this is not democracy, this is a totalitarian mindset," Erdogan added.

On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's interim president, escalating the ongoing feud between the U.S. and Maduro.

Maduro quickly shot back, cutting off diplomatic relations with Washington and giving U.S. diplomats 72 hours to leave the country.