Venezuela's electoral council has suspended the opposition's campaign to hold a recall referendum against President Nicolas Maduro.
The council said that courts in several states had reported fraud in the campaign's preliminary petition. The opposition, which planned to secure the required signatures for the vote next week, condemned the move, saying it would escalate the crisis. Eight opposition heads have reportedly been barred from leaving the country.
The timing of council's move is crucial because, according to the constitution, a vote to recall Mr Maduro this year would trigger a presidential election that polls indicate the opposition is likely to win.
But if the president is defeated in a vote next year, the vice-president would replace Mr Maduro and the Socialists would thus remain in power.
The opposition accuses the government of dragging its feet while not totally rejecting the recall referendum process.
