Top federal officials, perhaps Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself, will be reaching out to key European allies to encourage them to put more pressure on Venezuela鈥檚 Nicolas Maduro, 麻豆传媒 has learned.

The news comes as Britain, France, Germany, Spain and Belgium threatened to recognize Venezuelan National Assembly President Juan Guaido as the nation鈥檚 interim president if elections aren鈥檛 called within eight days.

Canada, the United States and 10 other countries in the Lima Group have already recognized Guaido, who declared himself interim president of the troubled South American country on Wednesday.

Canada played a key role in organizing that declaration. On Saturday, Trudeau spoke with Colombian Ivan Duque Marquez about the situation.

Canada鈥檚 representative to the UN, Marc-Andree Blanchard, told a special meeting of the UN Security Council that Canada has 鈥渇irmly rejected Nicolas Maduro鈥檚 illegitimate claim to power,鈥� citing 鈥渇raudulent鈥� elections last year.

Russia, meanwhile, accused Canada and the U.S. of encouraging a coup.

For the estimated three million people who have fled Venezuela鈥檚 economic and political crisis in recent years, the growing support for Guaido gives them hope that they will one day be able to return home.

William Mesa is a medical student who was forced to leave Venezuela for Colombia four years ago.

鈥淢any Venezuelans were eating on the streets from the garbage,鈥� he told CTV鈥檚 Omar Sachedina in Bogota.

In addition to his studies, Mesa also volunteers at a clothing donation facility that helps Venezuelan newcomers, just as he was helped when he fled from neighbouring country.

鈥淔inally, we are going to recover our country and many Venezuelans are going to go back,鈥� he said.

With files from The Canadian Press