juan guaido venezuela npw interview
Guaido: 'No doubt' I could be arrested upon return
02:22 - Source: CNN
CNN  — 

Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaidó said Thursday he will return to his country by Monday, and that a dialogue with President Nicolas Maduro won’t be possible without discussing elections.

Guaidó, who was in Brazil for a meeting with President Jair Bolsonaro, said he will return to Venezuela despite threats he and his family have received, including prison time.

The announcement came a day after Guaidó said he would exercise his duties as president as soon as he returns to Venezuela.

Before meeting with Bolsonaro on Thursday, Guaidó also met with European Union ambassadors to Brazil.

“We appreciate the firm international support to our path and the support for the humanitarian aid,” said Guaidó.

“This is the moment to move forward to achieve the cessation of the usurpation that would allow to end the crisis in Venezuela, recover our country and stabilize the region,” he added.

At a joint news conference, Bolsonaro reiterated Brazil’s continued support, saying it will do everything “within the law” to help ensure “democracy is re-established in Venezuela.”

Guaidó, the head of Venezuela’s opposition-led legislature, declared himself acting president of Venezuela in January and is fighting Maduro, president since the death of Hugo Chavez in 2013, for control of the country.

Guaidó and Paraguay’s President will meet Friday in Asunción.

Journalist Shasta Darlington contributed to this report from Brazil.