Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaidó has dismissed warnings from President Nicolás Maduro the country’s political crisis could spark civil war.
Mr Guaidó has declared himself interim president and won support from major powers including the US, reports BBC.
Mr Maduro said that whether there was war would depend on the “madness” of the US and its allies.
But Mr Guaidó rubbished the suggestion as an “invention” of his presidential rival.
Pressure grew on Mr Maduro on Monday when more than half of the countries which make up the European Union said they recognised Mr Guaidó as interim leader.
It follows the rejection of of a deadline set by the UK, France, Germany, Spain and others for President Maduro to call new elections.
He was sworn in last month for a second term after disputed elections which many opposition leaders did not contest because they were in jail or boycotting them.
In response, Mr Guaidó, who is head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, said the constitution allowed him to assume power temporarily when the president was deemed illegitimate.
