Several Countries Issue Venezuela\'s Maduro an Ultimatum

Spain, Germany, France and the U.K. have issued Venezuelan President Nicholás Maduro an ultimatum.

The move comes after almost a week of protests in the South American nation.

All four countries tweeted roughly the same statement, saying that Maduro has eight days to QUOTE "[call] just, free, transparent, and democratic elections," or the countries would recognize opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president of Venezuela.

Earlier this month, Maduro was sworn in for a second term after a hotly disputed election.

Many foreign countries didn't consider the election legitimate, in part, because  some of Maduro's opponents  were barred from participating, and many opposition parties boycotted the vote.

Maduro is widely considered a dictator.

A few weeks ago, opposition leader Guaidó was sworn in as head of the Venezuelan National Assembly —  a White House statement  said the assembly is the the only legitimate democratic body in the country.

On Wednesday Guaidó declared himself interim president and quickly drew support from the U.S. and surrounding nations.

On Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo  told the U.N.

Security Council  that Maduro has reduced Venezuelan citizens from prosperity to, QUOTE "rooting through dumpsters to find something to eat." According to Al Jazeera,  Maduro offered to speak with Guaidó, but the opposition leader declined.

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.