Spanish lawmakers reportedly banned from entering Venezuela to observe presidential elections

Spanish lawmakers from the Partido Popular (Popular Party, PP) said on Friday they have been prevented from entering Venezuela to observe the elections on Sunday, warning of a potential "coup d'etat."

Speaking at the Maiquetía Airport, Esteban González Pons said the group had traveled as a result of an invitation by the opposition, but they were not allowed into the country. "We leave not with the suspicion, but the founded fear that there will be a coup d'etat on Sunday, that the elections will be rigged," said the González Pons, Vicepresident of the European Parliament.

"We hope the Venezuelan people will rise with such strength that the regime's resistance will be beat. We've demanded the presence of the Spanish ambassador and, likely as a result of a government order, he hasn't come. They have left us at the disposal of the Venezuelan forces," González Pons added.

Partido Popular leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo also condemned the actions, demanding their "immediate release and for the Spanish Government to use the means necessary to that end." "I am in touch with (opposition leader) María Corina Machado. Venezuela's democrats value we stand by them despite the threats to show Maduro's tyranny to the world. The regime is afraid: they know the Venezuelan people's democratic spirit cannot be stopped," he added.

Several observers and political actors have been prevented from attending the elections, adding to the growing repression by the Maduro government before Sunday's elections. Dozens of opposition members have been arrested, and independent outlets have been blocked.

The Maduro government has routinely attacked media outlets, targeting foreign press in his latest related statements. Speaking in a political rally on Monday, he said that "they have tried to make us invisible a thousand times."

In the meantime, Maduro continues escalating his rhetoric as the elections get closer and polls show the opposition with a comfortable lead. Last week, Maduro warned society risks a "fratricidal civil war" and a "bloodbath" if his party doesn't win.