Caracas, February 5 (RHC)-- The Venezuelan government has lashed out at some member states of the European Union (EU) over their move to recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as the leader of the Latin American country.

The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday that the government would reconsider diplomatic ties with 13 EU members over the matter, accusing them of signing up for a “coup” plot by Washington to topple President Nicolas Maduro.

The Venezuelan government “expresses its most energetic rejection of the decision adopted by some European governments, in which they officially submit to the U.S. administration’s strategy to overthrow the legitimate government of President Nicolas Maduro,” the statement said.  Caracas “will fully review bilateral relations with these governments from now, until there is a rectification that renounces support for the plans for a coup,” it added.

EU members Britain, Germany, France and Spain earlier gave an eight-day ultimatum to Caracas to hold a new presidential election or see Europe recognize Guaido.  Caracas rejected the ultimatum.  As that deadline passed on Monday, several EU member states, including Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden and Austria announced their recognition of Guaido as the so-called “acting president” of Venezuela. 

Meanwhile, the Italian government reportedly blocked an EU statement on Monday that would have recognized Guaido as the leader of Venezuela.  According to a source in Italy’s anti-establishment Five-Star Movement, Rome had earlier announced the veto at an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Romania on January 31st.