Venezuela denies EU lawmakers entry given 'conspiratorial motives'
CGTN
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Venezuela denied a group of European Parliament deputies entry into the country on Sunday, arguing they had “conspiratorial motives” for flying to Caracas in the throes of a political crisis.
The European Parliament last month joined a slew of Western nations in recognizing Venezuelan opposition chief Juan Guaido as interim head of state after President Nicolas Maduro won a second term in an election last year that critics denounced as a sham.
The four deputies from the center-right European People's Party (EPP) were traveling to Venezuela to meet with Guaido, one of them said in a video distributed via social media.
"They have retained our passports, they haven't communicated the reason for our expulsion," Esteban González Pons said.
Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza delivers a speech, February 4, 2019. / VCG Photo

Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza delivers a speech, February 4, 2019. / VCG Photo

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said on his Twitter account that the lawmakers had been advised several days ago they would not be allowed entry into the South American country.
Venezuela would "not permit the European extreme right to disturb the peace and stability of the country with another of its rude, interventionist actions," he wrote.
On the same day, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, visiting the Colombia-Venezuela border, warned Maduro of severe consequences if he takes action against the country's opposition leader and self-declared president or U.S. citizens.
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio speaks during a news conference as he visits the Colombia-Venezuela border at the Simon Bolivar International Bridge on the outskirts of Cucuta, Colombia, February 17, 2019.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio speaks during a news conference as he visits the Colombia-Venezuela border at the Simon Bolivar International Bridge on the outskirts of Cucuta, Colombia, February 17, 2019.

"There are certain lines and Maduro knows what they are," Rubio, a senator from Florida seen as an influential voice on Venezuela policy in Washington, said. "The consequences will be severe and they will be swift."
He also warned Maduro against harming U.S. personnel working in the country and said the United States would also respond if aid workers were targeted.
The senator was part of a U.S. delegation visiting the Colombian border city of Cucuta, where humanitarian aid is being stockpiled for planned delivery to Venezuela.
( Cover: Venezuelans shout "freedom" during the visit of US Senator Marco Rubio on February 17, 2019. /VCG Photo )
Source(s): Reuters