WASHINGTON, May 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday held phone conversations with his Brazilian counterpart on bilateral relationship and the Venezuela issue.

Pompeo and Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo reaffirmed bilateral partnership and their cooperation to address regional issues, the U.S. State Department said in a statement.

The two top diplomats specifically discussed the situations in Venezuela, and reiterated their support for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, according to the statement.

The United States, as well as Brazil, no longer acknowledges Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate leader, but recognizes Guaido who proclaimed himself interim president on Jan. 23.

Washington and Brasilia are upgrading their security relations. President Donald Trump on Wednesday formally notified U.S. Congress his intent to designate Brazil as a Major Non-NATO Ally, which would give Brazil preferential access to U.S. military assistance.

Trump announced his intention to upgrade the status of U.S.-Brazil security relationship during his meeting with visiting Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in March in Washington.