Concern grows as Venezuela blocks international election observers | DW News

Panama's Foreign Ministry says a plane carrying four former Latin American presidents has not been allowed to take off, after their destinaton country - Venezuela - closed its airspace. The former Panamanian, Mexican, Costa Rican and Bolivian presidents were planning on observing Sunday's presidential election in Venezuela. Caracas however denies it prevented the former leaders from entering. President Nicolás Maduro is seeking a third six-year term in office and is facing his toughest electoral challenge in decades.

Follow DW on social media:

#Venezuela #Maduro #Caracas

[mightymo-ijpz]

"Concern" growing now? What, 8 million people walking out of the country wasn't alarming enough of a clue?

[willberry]

Being a dictator and bragging about the military’s support isn’t a flex maduro….

[tonirivera]

"I'm, the only candidate" sounds about right.

[rons]

It's Venezuela. It doesn't matter who gets the most votes. What matters is who counts those votes.
The only way Maduro loses is if he has grossly overestimates his popularity with the people and lets the election play out legitimately.

[Bicap]

Not only the expresidents were banned to enter Venezuela, but we, the more than 4 million voters outside Venezuela, were banned to vote. Our wright to vote was denied! But this regime is going to lose no matter what they do. Venezuela will be free!!! ❤🇻🇪❤️‍🔥

[frankmcgowan]

He won’t lose as long as he’s in charge of the elections.

[IoannisMetaxas-hvuf]

A brutal military dictator . What do you expect?

[insurgent]

as a russian - wish well for opposition, venezuela dont need him, venezuela need changes!

[barbaraseymour]

Thanks for covering this — haven’t seen much in other sources.

[marijo]

I hope Maduro doesn't do a full Lukashenko if he loses the election and simply refuse to step down.

[kuayinal-kadir]

They didn't block international observers though... Over 1000 international observers were in Venezuela for the election.

[DanTheMan.]

I hope all the best for Venezuela. Time to let go that inutil.

[cageybee]

shock: dictator is doing dictator stuff

[samyadeepsengupta]

People of Venezuela must elect a leader who will fix their fragile economy and make it anti fragile, make DEMOCRACY work, let there be a free market and an open airspace for all to come and go.

[McQueenPaul]

Madura hasn't finished emptying the coffers of Venezuela yet and it is telling that he states that he is the only candidate with the support of the military.

[brutpenta]

if he loses the military's support it's OVER for lilbro 😭😭😭😭

[nvelsen]

Makes sense: To have a use for election observers, you must've elections. Venezuela's last election was 1999, when they submitted to socialism.

[KeziahMatheson]

Por el bien de los venezolanos, que Dios esté con Edmundo y María.

[alinatalavera]

The machines aren’t fair and they have never been fair. Just like here in the US

[rauldempaire]

What are you smoking over there at DW???...