Plane with Former Presidents Blocked from Takeoff

A Copa Airlines flight carrying several former Latin American presidents, including Panama's Mireya Moscoso, was barred from taking off from Panama City due to a blockade of Venezuelan airspace, as reported by Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino. The former presidents were en route to Venezuela to observe the upcoming presidential elections, which are heavily criticized for lacking transparency. The current President Nicolás Maduro, seeking re-election, has closed borders by land, air, and sea to ensure election security, raising concerns about the election's legitimacy. Additionally, both former Argentine President Alberto Fernández and Brazil's electoral court have withdrawn from acting as observers, reflecting growing skepticism about the electoral process. The situation has further escalated tensions as Maduro faces opposition from candidate Edmundo González, who is reportedly leading in the polls. The Venezuelan government has not responded to requests for comments regarding the airspace blockade.