Venezuela’s ruling Socialist Party legislators called a trip by Brazilian senators to visit jailed opponents of President Nicolas Maduro «abusive» and «meddling» today.
The Brazilian delegation’s visit on Thursday was cut short after they said their minibus was stoned by Maduro supporters and roads were blocked, forcing them to return to the airport and fly back the same day.
The Brazilian senators had hoped to visit detained politicians including hardline leader Leopoldo Lopez, on a partial hunger strike in a military prison, and Caracas mayor Antonio Ledezma, who is under house arrest.
Members of Maduro’s Socialist Party said the half-dozen Brazilians were part of a right-wing international conspiracy.
«There is an ill intention from these political groups, not only to come and threaten … but also to torpedo the good relations between Venezuela and Brazil,» National Assembly Vice President Tania Diaz told reporters.
«They want the same as Venezuela’s extreme right: to isolate the country and sabotage integration.»
Foreign support for opposition leaders is a sensitive issue for the Maduro government, which views them as US-backed agitators intent on fomenting a coup.
Source: Buenos Aires Herald