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World

Venezuelan authorities block former presidents from visiting jailed opposition leader

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Colombia's former President Andres Pastrana, left, Chile's former President Sebastian Pinera, right, Lilian Tintori the wife of jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, behind right, and Lopez's mother Antonieta Mendoza de Lopez, behind left, stand outside Ramo Verde prison where Lopez is jailed in Los Teques, on the outskirts of Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015. The group was denied access to visit Lopez who was jailed in February 2014, accused of inciting violent protests. Lopez has a threat of a 13-year prison term hanging over him. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) (The Associated Press)

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    Colombia's former President Andres Pastrana, second from right, stands with Lilian Tintori, wife of jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, center, and Chile's former President Sebastian Pinera, far right, as they're blocked by National Guard from entering Ramo Verde prison where Lopez is jailed in Los Teques, on the outskirts of Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015. The group tried to visit Lopez but were denied access. The opposition leader was jailed in February 2014, accused of inciting violent protests in early 2014, and has a threat of a 13-year prison term hanging over him. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) (The Associated Press)

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    Colombia's former President Andres Pastrana, right, Chile's former President Sebastian Pinera, center, back to camera, Lilian Tintori, wife of jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, left, back to camera, and Lopez's mother Antonieta Mendoza de Lopez, far left, speak with National Guard officers outside Ramo Verde prison where Lopez is jailed in Los Teques, on the outskirts of Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015. The group tried to visit Lopez but were denied access. Lopez was jailed in February 2014, accused of inciting violent protests, and has a threat of a 13-year prison term hanging over him. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) (The Associated Press)

CARACAS, Venezuela โ€“ Venezuelan authorities have blocked two former Latin American presidents from visiting jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez.

Andres Pastrana of Colombia and Sebastian Pinera of Chile traveled to Caracas this weekend to participate in a pro-democracy event organized by President Nicolas Maduro's opponents.

As part of their visit, the two conservative leaders on Sunday tried to visit Lopez in a military prison where he's been held the past 11 months, accused of instigating violence in anti-government protests last year.

After being informed by prison guards that their entrance wasn't authorized Pastrana said Lopez's basic human rights to receive visit from friends and family was being denied.

Maduro on Friday accused the former presidents of having "blood on their hands" for allegedly supporting extremist groups trying to oust him.

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