The European Parliament has voted to recognise Venezuela's opposition leader as the country's interim leader.
However, the non-binding resolution falls short of the full formal recognition announced by countries such as the US, Brazil and Canada.
It comes a week after Juan Guaidó, president of the opposition-controlled national assembly, declared himself interim president of Venezuela.
It represented an effort to oust current leader Nicolás Maduro amid a major economic and social crisis in the country.
Maduro took over from Hugo Chávez in 2013, although serious concerns have been raised about the validity of the vote that saw him re-elected last year.
Recent weeks have seen violent clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces, with armed groups supporting Maduro also taking to the streets.
The UN humans rights office has reported that at least 40 people have been killed and hundreds detained.
The European Parliament resolution - which passed with 439 votes to 104 and 88 abstentions - calls on the EU and member states to recognise Guaidó as "the only legitimate interim president of the country until new free, transparent and credible presidential elections can be called in order to restore democracy".
It also calls for the immediate release of journalists - include EU nationals - being detained in the South American country.
"Peaceful and inclusive democratic solutions"
Caracas, Venezuela - Opposition demonstrators take part in protest against the government of President Maduro. (Image: © Elyxandro Cegarra/ZUMA Wire)
The EU's foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini has previously condemned the violence in Venezuela.
She added: "We reaffirm our deep belief that a peaceful and inclusive democratic solution is the only sustainable way out of the current political impasse and the severe social crisis it has provoked."
Concerns have long been raised about the human rights situation under Maduro's government - with reports of various abuses, including torture, by the country's security forces.
The country remains in the midst of a deep economic crisis, which has led to shortages of food and other supplies.
However, many commentators have also expressed unease about international efforts to support regime change in Venezuela - instead insisting the Venezuelan people should be asked to choose their leaders through fresh and free elections without foreign interference.
The US, meanwhile, has aggressively focused on targeting the country's oil supplies - including hitting the country's state-owned oil company with heavy sanctions in a bid to limit the Maduro government's cash flow.
