Argentinians protest US intervention in Venezuela

Hundreds of Argentinians held a demonstration Tuesday in the capital Buenos Aires against U.S. intervention in Venezuela.

Non-governmental organizations, trade unions and student clubs gathered at the University of Buenos Aires and marched to the U.S. embassy.

The crowd chanted slogans such as "End U.S. pressure on Latin America!" and "Establish dialogue and peace in Venezuela!"

The demonstrators said peace will only be achieved through dialogue, not by a military coup.

On Jan. 23, opposition leader Juan Guaido, who heads Venezuela's National Assembly, declared himself interim president following mass protests over the country's economic conditions.

The announcement was followed by a statement from U.S. President Donald Trump recognizing Guaido as the country's acting president.

Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama and Paraguay followed suit.

Nearly 19 European countries -- including the UK, France, Spain and Germany-also joined the U.S. in recognizing Guaido.

Bolivia and Mexico continued to recognize the country's elected president, Nicolas Maduro. Russia, China and Iran have also thrown their support behind Maduro, as has Turkey.

Tensions have mounted in the South American nation with Maduro refusing the opposition's calls to step down.

Maduro accuses the U.S. of orchestrating a coup against his government, insisting that he is open to dialogue with Venezuela's opposition.

The U.S. has led an international campaign to put economic and diplomatic pressure on Maduro, including the imposition of sanctions on the country's state-owned oil company.