Venezuela has dismissed a demand from UK and EU leaders for the country to hold a new presidential election within a week, after opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president following a disputed vote last year.

The leaders of France and Britain joined Spain and Germany on Saturday to say they would recognise Mr Guadio as president, unless Nicolas Maduro’s government called a fresh vote in the next eight days.

The EU’s foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said that if there was no announcement of a new election, the bloc would “take further actions, including on the issue of recognition of the country’s leadership.”

“Europe is giving us eight days?” Jorge Arreaza, Venezuela’s foreign minister, said in response.

“Where do you get that you have the power to establish a deadline or an ultimatum to a sovereign people? It’s almost childlike.”

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

Mr Maduro is under pressure from all sides, after a top military official also recognised Mr Guaido as president.

Jose Luis Silva, a military attache in Washington, defected from the government, declaring his support for the opposition leader in a video posted online.

“Today I speak to the people of Venezuela, and especially to my brothers in the armed forces of the nation, to recognise President Juan Guaido as the only legitimate president,” the official said, in a clip recorded in Washington.

He was filmed sitting at a desk, seated alongside the Venezuelan flag.

“The armed forces have a fundamental role to play in the restoration of democracy,” Mr Silva said.

His defection was triggered by the US recognition of Mr Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president, with Washington, Canada and multiple Latin American countries declaring Mr Maduro’s second-term election win fraudulent.

“The top brass of the military and the executive branch are holding the armed forces hostage. There are many, many who are unhappy,” Mr Silva said.

“My message to the armed forces is, ‘Don’t mistreat your people’. We were given arms to defend the sovereignty of our nation.

“They never, never trained us to say, ‘This is for you to attack your people, to defend the current government in power.”

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Small rebellions against the Maduro administration have broken out in Venezuela’s armed forces in recent months.

But the embattled president has managed to prevent a full-scale military uprising.

Venezuela’s commanders pledged their loyalty to Mr Maduro in the days after Mr Guadio declared himself leader.

The opposition claim the president’s re-election last year was fraudulent.

Mr Silva said that one consular official in Houston and one in another US city had also defected but that he was the only diplomat in Washington he knew of who had broken with the Maduro government.

“We welcome him and everyone who with honesty want to follow the constitution and the will of the Venezuelan people,” Mr Guaido said about the official, in a celebratory post on social media.

Venezuela’s defence ministry called Mr Silva a coward and posted a picture of him online, emblazoned with the word “traitor” across it in red capital letters.