A popular Spanish singer, Alejandro Sanz, has been banned from performing at a stadium in Venezuela because he criticized President Hugo Chavez three years ago.

Higher Education Minister Luis Acuna told Union Radio that Sanz would not be allowed to hold his Nov. 1 concert at the Poliedro stadium in Caracas, which is administered by the state.

Venezuela's president, Hugo Chavez, has said that anyone who is critical of him or his government while they are in Venezuela could be expelled.
(Fernando Llano/Associated Press)

"If an artist comes to Venezuela to rail against Chavez, against [Chavez's political] movement, how do you think the people of this country would respond if he were to be allowed to use" the stadium,  Acuna said in the interview.

Acuna said Sanz would however, be permitted to perform at privately owned locales in the country.

Chavez holds political rallies at the site, which is owned by a university he created and is one of the country's largest stadiums.

Sanz, who has won 14 Latin Grammy awards, was last in Venezuela on a concert tour in 2004.  He was asked about Chavez prior to a 2004 referendum on Chavez's presidency. Sanz responded: "I don't like your president."

The 38-year-old singer also added he did not like a number of other presidents elsewhere.

Chavez, who is a close ally of Cuban president Fidel Castro, warned in July that foreigners who publicly criticize him or his government while in Venezuela risk getting expelled.

Chavez rode in on a wave of popular support in 1998 from workers and peasants in his country, promising a left-wing revolution. He has put oil refineries under state control and sought greater government management over utilities, natural resources and the media.

Sanz, who has sold 21 million records worldwide, has made no comment on the government's decision yet. 

Some 15,000 fans have bought tickets to the concert.