Juan Guaidó

Venezuela's opposition leader Maria Corina Machado called Thursday for protests "in every city" in the nation on Saturday to denounce the disputed reelection of President Nicolas Maduro.

Clashes and protests erupted in Caracas and other parts of Venezuela following the presidential election. Thousands took to the streets to voice their dissent against the election commission's announcement of Nicolas Maduro's victory.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met Monday with his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro, vowing a new era for a relationship that was severed under far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said in an interview that he is ready to work to normalize relations with the United States, despite ongoing sanctions crippling his country.

For three years, Juan Guaidó led the Venezuelan opposition's efforts to bring about new elections and remove socialist President Nicolás Maduro.

Venezuela's electoral authority on May 13 announced mayoral and gubernatorial elections for November 21 as President Nicolas Maduro and the opposition made moves to restart stalled talks.

President Nicolas Maduro on Feb. 17 said he is "not afraid of military combat," accusing his US counterpart Donald Trump of plotting to invade Venezuela with the support of regional allies.

Venezuela's diplomats are reported to have 48 hours to leave the country.

Earlier, President Salvador Bukele said the US was "his country's number one ally."

Balkan allies of the US were quick to recognise Juan Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate interim president. Serbia refuses to follow suit.

The U.S. State Department on Aug. 28 opened a representative office for Venezuela in Bogota, Colombia, and said it will continue its opposition to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and support for opposition leader Juan Guaido from there.