Brussels, January 26 (RHC)-- Venezuela’s Juan Guaido is a so-called “privileged interlocutor” but no longer considered interim president, European Union states said in a statement on Monday, sticking by their decision to downgrade his status.

The EU’s 27 states had said on January 6th they could no longer legally recognize Guaido as after he lost his position as head of parliament following legislative elections in Venezuela in December, despite the EU not recognising that vote.

Following the re-election of President Nicolas Maduro in 2018, Guaido, as head of parliament, became interim president.  Guaido is still seen by the United States and Britain as Venezuela’s "president."

The status of interim president gives Guaido the legal right to steal funds confiscated from Maduro by Western governments, as well as affording him access to top officials and supporting his illegal agenda domestically and internationally.