Brazil says it recognizes Venezuelan opposition leader as president

Brazil's government on Saturday issued a statement saying it recognized Venezuela's Congressional leader, who opposes President Nicolas Maduro, as the rightful president of Venezuela.

Maduro, who started a second term as president this week, has found himself increasingly isolated as countries around the world have called his continued leadership illegitimate.

Juan Guaido, the head of Venezuela's opposition-led Congress, said this week he was prepared to assume the country’s presidency on an interim basis and call elections. (Reporting by Marcelo Rochabrun Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)