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Venezuela has barred international election observers, including former presidents and legislators, from overseeing the forthcoming presidential election.

What’s the deal: Venezuela has prohibited international election observers, including former presidents, from monitoring the upcoming presidential election. This decision comes as President Nicolás Maduro campaigns for reelection amid persistent allegations of election fraud from critics and Western nations. The Vice President of Venezuela defended the ban by calling the observers “enemies of this country.”

Blocked from entry: Panama announced that a plane carrying election observers (former Latin American leaders who are outspoken critics of President Maduro) was blocked from departing its airport. Colombian officials were refused entry at Caracas airport, while Spanish lawmakers encountered similar issues. In addition, Argentina’s former president, Alberto Fernández, had his invitation to observe the election rescinded after he called on Maduro to accept the results, regardless of the outcome.

Accusations of corruption & election interference: For years, President Maduro has been widely accused of manipulating the electoral process to maintain his power in Venezuela. Allegations against him include tampering with voter rolls, intimidating opposition candidates, and utilizing state resources for his campaign. Similarly, significant opposition figures like María Corina Machado (a popular candidate for President) have been barred from running in the elections.

Digging Deeper: In 2014, Venezuela erupted in widespread protests and riots against President Nicolás Maduro’s government, driven by allegations of election fraud, economic mismanagement, and severe shortages of essentials. The unrest was fueled by worsening living conditions, hyperinflation, and a deepening economic crisis, which prompted many Venezuelans to seek opportunities abroad. In response, Maduro accused opposition leaders of staging a violent coup with foreign support and claimed the protests were aimed at destabilizing his government and undermining its legitimacy.