Israel announces recognition of Venezuela's self-proclaimed leader

JERUSALEM, Jan. 27 -- Israel on Sunday announced its recognition of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's leader.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement that his country joins the United States and Canada "in recognizing the new leadership in Venezuela."

The Israeli statement came after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged countries to "pick a side" on the leadership of the poverty-stricken country in his address to the UN Security Council in New York.

Over the past days, Britain, Germany, France and Spain said they would recognize Venezuela's self-proclaimed "interim president" if incumbent President Nicolas Maduro will not call new elections within eight days, an ultimatum Maduro has rejected.