Venezuela blocks ex-presidents' visit to jailed leaders

Venezuela has blocked two ex-presidents from visiting opposition leaders jailed on charges of inciting violence against the government. Andres Pastrana of Colombia and Jorge Quiroga of Bolivia were not allowed to visit opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez and former mayor, Daniel Ceballos. Both prisoners started a hunger strike around a week ago. State officials said the ex-presidents were part of an hostile campaign against the country. President Nicolas Maduro has said Venezuela's judiciary is independent and those in jail are criminals. However, their supporters and rights groups say the two men's imprisonment is politically motivated and accused Mr Maduro of cracking down on his opponents. Mr Lopez is being held in the Ramo Verde military prison outside Caracas, while Mr Ceballos is in a civilian prison in the central state of Guarico. More…