Venezuela opposition leader cranks up pressure on Maduro

Venezuela's opposition leader has stepped up his campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro, rejecting an offer of talks with the socialist leader and calling for a "major demonstration."
And a European Union diplomat told AFP the bloc wanted "an immediate call for elections in the near future."
Mexico had offered to host talks between the rival leaders, and Maduro professed he was ready to go "wherever I have to" in order to meet "that young man."
But Guaido, who also has support from several Latin American countries, told supporters in Caracas the public would remain in the streets "until we achieve an end to the usurpation, a transitional government and free elections."

President Donald Trump's administration has spearheaded the international pressure on Maduro, who accuses Washington of being behind an attempted "coup," by declaring his regime "illegitimate."
On Friday, Pompeo announced that Washington was naming Elliot Abrams -- a central figure in president Ronald Reagan's controversial anti-communist campaigns in Central America during the 1980s -- as its new envoy to lead efforts to help Venezuela "in achieving democracy."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov -- whose country is Venezuela's second-largest creditor and a military ally -- denounced US policy on Venezuela as "destructive."
Analysts at the Eurasia Group consultancy noted that while international recognition of Guaido as interim president cemented his position as the main opposition leader, his failure to win over the military meant Maduro's fall "does not appear imminent."

Trump has mused about military intervention in Venezuela, saying "all options are on the table," but Russia said that "violates the fundamental norms of international law."