The Venezuelan crisis: Australia recognizes Guido and America warns of prejudice

The developments in the Venezuelan crisis have been accelerating since Wednesday, with international recognition of opposition leader Juan Guido as president, while Washington has warned that any harm to its diplomats or Bouguidou will be met with a response.

Following a similar move by the United States, Canada and several Latin American countries, Australia on Monday officially recognized Juan Guido as interim president of Venezuela until presidential elections and called for a transition to democracy as soon as possible.

The Australian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Canberra "recognizes and supports the President of the National Assembly (Parliament) Juan Guadillo in the interim president in accordance with the Venezuelan Constitution and until the elections."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also declared that Israel officially recognizes the Venezuelan opposition and its leader as the legitimate president of the country.

Meanwhile, US national security adviser John Bolton warned that any violence or intimidation of US diplomats or Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guido would be met with a response from the United States.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro did not rule out a meeting with US President Donald Trump. He said in an interview with CNN that the European countries - which he described as shameless - should withdraw the eight days they gave to hold new elections in Venezuela.

Maduro said Caracas was negotiating with Washington to exchange interest-building offices with the United States to maintain minimum relations between the two countries after his government cut diplomatic ties with Washington.

Venezuela has been under growing tension since Wednesday after Guido, who heads the opposition-majority parliament, took office temporarily until new elections, a move backed by America and Russia's refusal.

President Trump quickly recognized the leader of the opposition as a transitional president, followed by countries including Canada, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay, Brazil, Chile, Panama, Argentina, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Britain, Spain and France.

In contrast, countries - including Russia, Turkey, Mexico and Bolivia - backed the legitimacy of Maduro, who a few days ago was sworn in as president for a new six-year term.