Simon Coveney has said that Ireland will not follow other European Union countries in recognising Juan Guaidó as interim president of Venezuela.

The foreign minister was asked about the issue on a trip to Brussels yesterday as EU ministers debated their response to the crisis in the South American country. At least 12 countries, including the UK, France, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Austria and Germany agreed to recognise Mr Guaidó, the opposition leader and president of the national assembly, after their deadline for President Maduro to call an election expired.

Asked whether he would follow suit, Mr Coveney said: “No, our position has been clear. We want to see free and fair elections for the people to make a democratic decision in Venezuela.”

Hundreds of