<span style="color: #222222;">Venezuela's top military representative to the US has defected from Nicolás Maduro's government. Col José Luis Silva says he now recognises opposition leader Juan Guaidó as president instead. Mr Guaidó declared himself acting president on Wednesday, gaining the backing of several countries including the US. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Meanwhile, Mr Maduro has rejected demands by European countries to call elections. Several countries including Spain, Germany, France and the UK said on Saturday they would recognise Mr Guaidó as president if elections were not called within eight days.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">President Maduro was sworn in for a second term earlier this month after an election marred by an opposition boycott and allegations of vote-rigging, leading to large anti-Maduro protests.</span><br />