HispanTV, February 3rd 2019
https://www.hispantv.com/noticias/venezuela/410303/maduro-ultimatum-eur…
President Nicolás Maduro speaks before the troops of the
Turiamo Naval Station, in the state of Aragua, February 3, 2019
The President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, says he will not yield to Europe's ultimatum to hold elections in the South American country.
"We don't accept 'ultimatums' from anyone, it's as if I were to tell the European Union that I'm giving it a few days to recognize the Republic of Catalonia," said Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in an interview with journalist Jordi Évole for the Spanish television channel La Sexta.
The Venezuelan President's position is in response to the call made last January 26th by the head of EU diplomacy, Federica Mogherini, for Caracas to call elections in "the next few days". On the same day, Spain, France, Germany and the United Kingdom marked an eight-day ultimatum that expires this Sunday at midnight, otherwise, they would recognize the opponent Juan Guaidó, president of the National Assembly (AN) - currently in contempt of venezuela's Supreme Court - who on January 23 proclaimed himself "president in charge" of Venezuela.
"No one is going to twist my arm, do not underestimate Venezuela again," said the Venezuelan President, who on January 28 had already marked his rejection of the EU demand, saying that the political class of the Old Continent "is on its knees" to the U.S. government, led by Donald Trump.
The interviewer asked President Maduro if he refuses to call elections for fear of losing them. "I'm not refusing to call them, there are elections in 2024. We don't care at all what Europe says about Venezuela, let Europe take care of its own problems such as unemployment or migration," replied the chavista leader.