the european union did not say whether they recognized guaidó as president of venezuela, but did say on 23 january 2019 that it "fully supports the national assembly as the democratically elected institution whose powers need to be restored and respected", adding that "the civil rights, freedom and safety of all members of the national assembly, including its president, juan guaidó, need to be observed and fully respected". on 26 january 2019, spain, france, germany and the united kingdom gave maduro an eight-day ultimatum, saying they would recognize juan guaido as president unless maduro calls for elections within those eight days.