Latin American states urge Venezuelan soldiers to abandon loyalty to regime and let in aid

A coalition of Latin American nations is urging Venezuela's military to allow badly needed food and medicine to enter the country as the bloc pushes for a peaceful transition of power in the South American nation.

The call came Monday from the Lima Group, which is made up of nearly a dozen conservative Latin American nations and Canada. It has led the push to recognize opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido as Venezuela's rightful leader and seeks ways to remove President Nicolas Maduro.

The coalition met Monday in Ottawa and issued a declaration saying Venezuela's soldiers must show loyalty to Guaido. The group also said the United Nations and the international community should be ready to step in with humanitarian assistance for Venezuela.

The US and other countries have already pledged humanitarian aid for Guaido's administration, though it remains to be seen where and how it can enter the country without the military's support.

Further, the bloc dismissed the idea of opening negotiations with Maduro, who has used past talks as a stalling tactic.

International clamor for snap elections in Venezuela intensified on Monday as European powers recognised Mr Guaido as interim leader, after Mr Maduro rejected an ultimatum to call early voting.

Britain, France and Spain were among 19 EU nations to side with Mr Guaido, following in the footsteps of key regional powers and the United States, which has refused to rule out a military intervention in the crisis-wracked country.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday accused the European Union of seeking to overthrow Mr Maduro in defiance of "democracy."

"On one side you will say 'democracy, democracy, democracy' and 'ballot box, ballot box, ballot box' and later you will dare to topple the government by violence and ruse," Mr Erdogan told his ruling party lawmakers in parliament, referring to the European Union.

Key Maduro ally Russia on Monday slammed what it called interference in the oil-rich but now poor Latin American country, saying it was an attempt to "legitimise usurped power."

Mr Guaido thanked each EU country in turn on Twitter "for supporting all Venezuelans in this struggle we undertake to rescue our nation's democracy, freedom and justice."

Claiming his legitimacy from the constitution, the 35-year-old National Assembly leader stunned the world when he proclaimed himself interim president on January 23, setting up a tense standoff with Mr Maduro - with both men heading rival massive street rallies in Caracas on Saturday.