The European parliament has voted to recognise Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country’s interim president.

In a move designed to keep pressure on president Nicolas Maduro, lawmakers voted in a non-binding resolution to recognise Mr Guaido as the country’s de-facto leader and called on all EU governments to follow suit.

“From Europe, we can help change the Venezuelan regime and make it known that tyrants will never enlighten any democratic possibility,” Spanish centre-right EU lawmaker Esteban Gonzalez Pons said in a statement.

It comes amid an increasingly coordinated international effort to force Mr Maduro out, with US president Donald Trump also recognising Mr Guaido as leader and Washington announcing fresh sanctions against the country on Tuesday.

Mr Maduro, sworn in on 10 January for a second term after disputed elections last year, accuses Mr Guaido of staging a US-directed coup against him. Mr Maduro is backed by a number of countries, including Russia.

Mr Guaido has asked European Union governments to keep up the pressure on his rival.

The parliament in a statement recognised him as “the only legitimate interim president”, until new elections can be called “in order to restore democracy”.

In the motion, MEPs condemned “the fierce repression and violence [in the country], resulting in killings and casualties”.

They also demanded that the Venezuelan authorities “halt all human rights violations, hold those responsible for them to account, and ensure that all fundamental freedoms and human rights are fully respected”.

On Wednesday MEPs agreed to hold an emergency debate on the matter, with a vote on Thursday. The statement was backed by 439 votes for to 104 against, with 88 abstentions recorded.

Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Show all 18 1 /18 Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Protesters clash with the Bolivarian National Police during a demonstration against the government of the Venezuela and president Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on 23 January 2019 EPA Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Demonstrators cheer as Venezuela's National Assembly head Juan Guaido declares himself the country's "acting president" at a rally in Caracas AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Opposition supporters take part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Opposition supporters take part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Juan Guaido, head of Venezuela's opposition-run congress, declares himself interim president of the nation until elections can be held during a rally in Caracas demanding leader Nicolas Maduro's resignation AP Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Opposition supporters carry letters to form the word "Democracy" while taking part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Police watch over marching anti-government protesters in Caracas EPA Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government A vehicle is overturned as opposition demonstrators block a road during a protest against the Venezuelan government AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government A National Police officer fires rubber bullets during a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government A demonstrator throws back a gas canister while clashing with security forces during a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Security forces look on after clashing with opposition supporters participating in a rally against Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro's government REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Demonstrators during a protest against the government of Nicolas Maduro at Plaza Altamira in Caracas Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Demonstrators during a protest against the government of Nicolas Maduro at Plaza Altamira in Caracas Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government epa07313731 Opponents of Chavism demonstrate against the Government of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, 23 January 2019. Chavists and opponents are again demonstrating in the streets of the country to support or question the legitimacy of the head of state, which the Parliament and a large part of the international community do not recognize. EPA/CRISTIAN HERNANDEZ CRISTIAN HERNANDEZ EPA Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Riot police clash with opposition demonstrators during a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro on the anniversary of the 1958 uprising that overthrew the military dictatorship, in Caracas on January 23, 2019. - Venezuela's National Assembly head Juan Guaido declared himself the country's "acting president" on Wednesday during a mass opposition rally against leader Nicolas Maduro. (Photo by YURI CORTEZ / AFP)YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images YURI CORTEZ AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government The remains of a statue of Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez is seen hanging from a pedestrian bridge after it was destroyed in San Felix, Venezuela REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Riot police on motorcycles clash with opposition demonstrators during protests in Caracas AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Supporters celebrate Juan Guaido declaration that he is Venezuelan president EPA

British foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt said following talks with the opposition leader: “I said to him, what is your message for myself and the other foreign ministers?

“He said two things: please keep up the pressure on Maduro who has done so much damage and remember this is about the humanitarian catastrophe that is going on at the moment.”

Mr Hunt also criticised Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for having previously congratulated Mr Maduro when he became president in 2013.

“Simply because they share Maduro’s anti-western worldview is not a reason to turn a blind eye to someone who has driven his people into poverty where 70 per cent of children in some areas are facing malnutrition,” he said in a thinly veiled statement apparently aimed at the opposition leader.

Mr Corbyn has said he condemns violence in Venezuela and has called for a negotiated settlement, but warned against outside interference.