Canada and the Venezuela crisis
Assistance for Canadians in Venezuela
Canada is deeply concerned by the suffering of the Venezuelan people, and remains strongly committed to the promotion and protection of democracy and human rights. In response to attacks on Venezuelans’ democratic and human rights by the regime of President Nicolás Maduro, Canada has imposed several rounds of targeted sanctions. Canada has also downgraded its diplomatic relations with Venezuela in an effort to push for the peaceful restoration of Venezuela’s democracy, and has joined partners in the hemisphere in referring the situation in Venezuela to the International Criminal Court, based on credible allegations that serious international crimes may have been committed.
To date, Canada has provided more than $55 million in humanitarian assistance funding to help meet the needs of the most vulnerable populations affected by the Venezuelan crisis, and an additional $4 million channelled through implementing partners for regional humanitarian assistance more broadly in Latin America and the Caribbean. Canada also continues to provide support through multilateral programs and through funds managed by the Embassy of Canada to Venezuela.
Ministerial communications
Canada is deeply concerned by the rapidly deteriorating political and economic crisis in Venezuela and reaffirms its commitment to the promotion and protection of democracy and human rights.
On February 14, 2019, Read Out: Minister Freeland speaks with Juan Guaidó, Interim President of Venezuela
On February 4, 2019, Canada concludes Lima Group meeting in support of Venezuelan democracy
On February 4, 2019, Ottawa Declaration for Venezuela
On January 28, 2019, Canada to convene Lima Group and other countries about Venezuela crisis
On January 23, 2019, Canada recognizes the interim President of Venezuela
On January 10, 2019, Canada rejects the Maduro regime’s illegitimate mandate in Venezuela
On January 3, 2019, Parliamentary Secretary Leslie to attend Lima Group meeting on Venezuela
On June 23, 2018, Canada alarmed by UN report on human rights situation in Venezuela
On May 30, 2018, Canada imposes further sanctions on Maduro regime in Venezuela
On May 29, 2018, Canada welcomes report on possible crimes against humanity in Venezuela
On May 21, 2018, Canada condemns fraudulent presidential elections in Venezuela
On May 14, 2018, Canada announces humanitarian assistance in response to crisis in Venezuela.
On May 13, 2018, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs to attend Lima Group meeting on Venezuela.
On March 28, 2018, Statement by Foreign Affairs Minister and Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour on the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry for Venezuela.
On February 24, 2018, Canada welcomes OAS resolution on crisis in Venezuela.
On February 14, 2018, Canada supports decision that President Maduro of Venezuela not welcome at Summit of the Americas.
On February 12, 2018, Foreign Affairs Minister to attend meeting of Lima Group on Venezuela.
On January 27, 2018, Canada issued a Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs on Venezuelan government decision to bar the opposition coalition.
On January 21, 2018, Foreign Affairs Minister to attend Lima Group meeting on Venezuela.
On December 25, 2017, Canada issued a Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs on expulsion of Canadian chargé d’affaires by Venezuelan government.
On November 3, 2017, Canada imposes sanctions on individuals linked to human rights violations and corruption.
On October 27, 2017, Address by Minister Freeland for the third ministerial meeting of the Lima Group.
On October 20, 2017, Canada to host Lima Group meeting on Venezuela.
On October 17, 2017, Canada calls into question the legitimacy of Venezuela’s electoral process.
On October 6, 2017, Canada condemns National Electoral Council’s violation of Venezuela’s elections law.
On September 22, 2017, Canada imposes sanctions on Maduro regime in Venezuela.
On September 15, 2017, Canada welcomes panel to investigate possible crimes against humanity in Venezuela.
On August 18, 2017, Canada condemns announcement made by Venezuela’s National Constituent Assembly.
On August 1, 2017, Canada condemns imprisonment of Venezuelan opposition leaders.
On July 30, 2017, Canada denounces Venezuelan government’s action to create constituent assembly.
On July 26, 2017, Canada calls on Venezuela to cancel Constituent Assembly.
On July 16, 2017, Canada stands with people of Venezuela following popular consultation.
On July 5, 2017, Canada concerned by Venezuela’s latest measures undermining democracy.
On May 28, 2017, the Minister of Foreign Affairs announced that she will participate in an Organization of American States (OAS) ministerial meeting to address the concerning situation in Venezuela: Canada to call for action at Organization of American States meeting on Venezuela.
On May 4, 2017, Canada issued a Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs on Venezuela and on the announcement to establish a constituent assembly to change the Venezuelan constitution.
On April 27, 2017, Canada concerned by Venezuela’s intention to withdraw from the Organization of American States.
On March 31, 2017, Canada calls on Venezuela’s government to restore democracy.
See further responses from the Government of Canada on October 21, 2016, and July 7, 2016.
Multilateral communications
Canada has been instrumental in the passing of several statements and resolutions at the Organization of American States (OAS) supporting the people of Venezuela in their efforts to achieve political and economic reforms.
July 5, 2018 - 38th session of the Human Rights Council: Joint Statement on the Human Rights Situation in Venezuela
May 23, 2018 - G7 Leaders' Statement on Venezuela
May 21, 2018 - Statement by Chair of G20 on electoral process in Venezuela
On April 14, 2018, at the eighth Summit of the Americas, some governments of the Americas, including members of the Lima Group, issued the following statement on the situation in Venezuela: Declaration on Venezuela
July 26, 2017 - Declaration on the situation in Venezuela
April 3, 2017 - Resolution on the recent events in Venezuela
March 23, 2017 - Declaration on Venezuela
November 16, 2016 - Declaration of the Permanent Council Supporting the National Dialogue in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
October 21, 2016 - Joint Communique of Member States of the OAS on recent events in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
August 11, 2016 - Joint Statement on Recent Developments in The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
June 15, 2016 - Statement by Ministers and Heads of Delegation on the Situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
June 1, 2016 - Declaration of the Permanent Council about the Situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
At the Human Rights Council on November 1, 2016, Canada issued its Universal Periodic Review recommendations regarding Venezuela.
The Lima Group
Canada has joined with other countries in the hemisphere to address the critical situation in Venezuela and to explore ways to contribute to the restoration of democracy through peaceful and negotiated means.
February 4, 2019 - Lima Group Declaration February 04, 2019
January 23, 2019 - Declaration of the Lima Group
January 13, 2019 - Statement by the Lima Group on the serious events that occurred on January 13, 2019 in Venezuela
January 4, 2019 - Lima Group Declaration
October 9, 2018 - Lima Group statement on the death of Caracas city councillor Fernando Albán
August 8, 2018 - Lima Group Statement on Venezuela
May 21, 2018 - Statement by Lima Group on electoral process in Venezuela
May 19, 2018 - Lima Group Press Release
May 14, 2018 - Statement of the sixth meeting of the Lima Group on the situation in Venezuela
February 13, 2018 - Statement of the fifth meeting of the Lima Group on the situation in Venezuela
January 23, 2018 - Statement of the fourth meeting of the Lima Group on the situation in Venezuela
November 4, 2017 - Lima Group condemns decision to remove Freddy Guevara’s parliamentary immunity
October 26, 2017 - Statement of the third meeting of the Lima Group on the situation in Venezuela
October 17, 2017 - Statement by Lima Group regarding regional elections in Venezuela
October 5, 2017 - Statement of the Lima Group on Regional Elections in Venezuela
September 23, 2017 - Declaration of the Second Meeting of the Lima Group on the Situation in Venezuela
August 18, 2017 - Statement of the Lima Group on the take-over of the functional competencies of the Venezuelan National Assembly
August 8, 2017 - Lima Declaration on the situation in Venezuela
