Italy divided over Venezuela political crisis

By Beyza Binnur Donmez</p> <p>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.</p> <p>According to the sources, Venezuela’s ongoing political crisis has apparently led to a fissure between Italian President Sergio Mattarella and the coalition government.</p> <p>&quot;We must show responsibility and clarity [by adopting] a common line taken by all our EU partners and allies,&quot; Mattarella said Monday.</p> <p>Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio, meanwhile, has defended his refusal to recognize Guaido as Venezuela’s interim leader, saying, &quot;He hasn’t been elected by the people.&quot;</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Maduro accuses the U.S. of orchestrating a “coup” against his government, insisting that he is open to dialogue with Venezuela’s opposition.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Russia, China and Iran have also thrown their support behind Maduro, as has Turkey.</p> <p>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.