Politics
Spanish deputy Luis Herrero, a member of the European Parliament, was expelled late on February 13 from Venezuela, following his statements calling President Hugo Chávez "a dictator" and questioning the National Electoral Council (CNE), the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a communiqué.

"In compliance with the instructions from the Electoral Power, and within the framework of the Constitution of the Republic, and with the usual goal to secure human rights respect, European lawmaker Luis Herrero, of Spanish nationality, has been urged to leave the country," said the  Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, AFP quoted.

The decision is intended "to preserve a peaceful environment and guarantee the smooth development of the vote scheduled for February 15," the document added.

According to the sources, Herrero, a member of the Spanish People's Party (PP) who was invited by a Venezuelan opposition party to witness the election next February 15, took the first available flight early on Saturday, bound for Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Before his detention and eviction from Venezuela, Herrero harshly criticized the Venezuelan organization and the organization of February 15 referendum on endless reelection of all elected officials. Consequently, the chair of CNE, Tibisay Lucena, requested authorities to urge him to leave the country.

In his remarks to reporters, Herrero asked Venezuelans "to vote in freedom and never vote under the influence of the fear that a dictator is trying to spread with premeditation."

Luis Ignacio Planas, secretary general of opposition Copei party, told reporters that Herrero was taken "by force" to the airport by police officers, and he was not even allowed to get his passport.

Last September 19, José Miguel Vivanco, a senior member of NGO Human Rights Watch, was evicted from Venezuela, a few hours after he disclosed in Caracas a report questioning the 10 years of President Chávez in office.