Venezuela blocks Panamanian plane carrying senior politicians – DW – 07/26/2024

A plane carrying a number of former Latin American presidents hoping to attend the upcoming presidential elections in Venezuela. Elections this week Panama President Jose Raul Molino said on Friday that the Boeing 737 Max was not allowed to take off from Panama’s Tocumen airport.

Molino said on social media that the plane carrying former Panama President Mireya Moscoso and other former presidents was denied permission “to take off from Tocumen as long as they remained on board.”

He added that the reason for this was the “blockade of Venezuelan airspace.”

The United States has warned Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro against interfering in the electoral process and said it was ready for a “reset.” Penalties Waiting for the vote result.

What do we know about the incident?

Former presidents Miguel Angel Rodriguez of Costa Rica, Jorge Quiroga of Bolivia and Vicente Fox of Mexico were scheduled to travel with Moscoso to Venezuela. All four former leaders are strong critics of the Maduro government.

Fox posted a video on his X account from inside the plane, writing: “Venezuela, we are with you, no matter what happens.”

The Panamanian Foreign Ministry summoned the Venezuelan representative for clarification.

Venezuela’s presidential election will be held next Sunday, with current President Maduro competing against… opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia.

Maduro is seeking a third term in office, but currently trails Urrutia in opinion polls. However, after a decade in office, Maduro controls nearly every branch of government, including the armed forces and the electoral council.

Urrutia considers himself a former diplomat and belongs to a political coalition made up of civil society, trade unions, retired military personnel and former parliamentarians.

Washington considers imposing sanctions

The United States said on Friday it would issue a stern warning to Maduro if he claimed victory without providing evidence.

“It is very troubling” that Maduro’s government, a senior US official said on condition of anonymity. Determine the number of international observers.

“The United States is prepared to adjust our sanctions policy in light of events that may unfold in Venezuela,” Reuters news agency quoted the official as saying.

“As we look to the post-election period, we will continue to evaluate and update our sanctions policy as needed based on our foreign policy objectives.”

zc, rmt/cs (AFP, Reuters)