The country’s position was to be outlined in detail by the minister, Augusto Santos Silva, later in the day.

Portugal thus joins other European Union countries such as Spain, the UK and Sweden, who have already recognised Guaidó as interim president, following the expiry of the deadline for President Nicolás Maduro to convene fresh elections.

Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK had given Maduro eight days to call elections, with the deadline on Sunday, noting that Guaidó’s move was in accordance with Venezuela’s constitution.

Portugal is among EU member states with the most direct interest in stabilising the situation in Venezuela, given the large number of its nationals and descendants of its nationals living in the troubled country.