On Thursday, thousands of Mr Guaidó’s supporters took to the streets in the capital, Caracas, and several other cities across Venezuela. They called on the military to abandon its support of President Maduro and allow humanitarian aid into the country. According to BBC News.
Mr Guaidó, who is head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, says the constitution allows him to assume power temporarily when the president is deemed illegitimate.
Saturday’s protests are intended to ramp up pressure on President Nicolás Maduro to step down and call a snap presidential election.
Mr Guaidó declared himself president last month and was immediately recognised by the US and several Latin American countries.
Major European countries have given President Maduro until Sunday to announce a fresh vote before they join the nations recognising Mr Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim president.
Mr Guaidó, meanwhile, says he has held secret meetings with the military to win support for ousting Mr Maduro.
He has also reached out to China in the hope of improving relations with the country.
In comments published in the South China Morning Post on Saturday, Mr Guaidó said he wanted a “productive and mutually beneficial” relationship with China, adding that he was ready to engage in dialogue “as soon as possible”.
Later on Saturday, President Maduro is due to attend a rally in honour of his predecessor, the socialist former army colonel Hugo Chavez.
More than 20 countries, including the US, have recognised Mr Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim president.
Russia, China and Turkey are among those who have publicly backed President Maduro.
Last week, several European countries including Spain, Germany, France and the UK said they would also recognise Mr Guaidó as president if elections were not called within eight days.
