Venezuela has expelled a Spanish deputy of the European parliament after he reportedly labeled President Hugo Chavez a dictator.
A referendum is being held in Venezuela on Sunday to remove all term limits on elected officials, including President Chavez.
The deputy, Luis Herrero, also criticised a decision to keep the polling stations open two hours longer than normal.
Sr Herrero, who was invited to observe the referendum by a local opposition party, was put on a plane to Brazil.
President Hugo Chavez has been in power now for ten years.