Canada Sanctions 14 Venezuelan Officials, Joins G7 in Denouncing Maduro Inauguration

Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly responds to questions from reporters in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill after question period in Ottawa on Feb. 29, 2024. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang

Canada has issued sanctions against 14 former and present Venezuelan government officials as it joined its G7 allies in denouncing the inauguration of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro.

Maduro’s inauguration, which took place on Jan. 10, comes after months of unrest in the country over the July 2024 election results. Both Maduro and his rival Edmondo Gonzalez claimed victory.

The G7 foreign ministers and the European Union denounced the lack of democratic legitimacy of Maduro’s inauguration, which would start his third six-year term.

“We reject Maduro’s continued and repressive grasp at power at the expense of the Venezuelan people, who voted for change peacefully and in large numbers on July 28, 2024, according to independent observers and publicly available electoral records,” said a Jan. 10 Global Affairs Canada statement.

The statement said the ministers are alarmed by Maduro’s “persistent disregard” of the “principles of democratic governance, rule of law, and human rights.”

They are also “deeply troubled by the arbitrary arrests and other abuses of civilians, including children, youths and activists, following the peaceful democratic protests which occurred after the election and which continue to this day.”

The countries condemned the repression of civilians and members of the opposition, including leader María Corina Machado.

Machado had been detained after an anti-government march in Caracas, but was released on Jan. 9.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said she has been in touch with Machado.

“I spoke with Maria Corina Machado yesterday to discuss the situation in Venezuela and reiterate Canada’s support for all of those fighting so the will of Venezuelans is respected,” she said in a Jan. 9 post on the X platform.

She also noted that Canada has recognized Gonzalez as the president-elect of Venezuela.

In a Jan. 10 statement, Joly said Maduro had disregarded the rule of law.

“Maduro’s shameless actions demonstrate that democracy and the rule of law cannot be taken for granted. We will not tolerate the erosion of the democratic process or the repression of citizens seeking to express their rights,” she said.

“Canada has stood by, and will continue to stand by, the people of Venezuela and their desire to live in a peaceful and democratic society.”

Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre called the Venezuelan opposition leader an inspiration.

“We commend the courage and leadership of María Corina Machado, whose unwavering commitment to freedom inspires a nation and the world,” he said in a Jan. 9 post on X.

Calling democracy a “sacred right” that must be respected, Poilievre said, “The eyes of the world are watching. Together, we must demand an end to oppression and the restoration of democracy in Venezuela.”

The G7 ministers called for a peaceful, democratic, negotiated, and Venezuelan-led solution.

“We remain committed to working with Venezuelans and the international community to ensure that the democratic will of the Venezuelan people, as expressed in the July election, is respected and a peaceful transition of power process is established.”

Sanctions

Ottawa also announced sanctions against 14 former and current Venezuelan government senior officials, saying they had engaged in or supported human rights violations in that country, including the repression of protests over the 2024 election.

Global Affairs Canada said the violations were used by Maduro to silence those demanding free and fair elections.

Canada has now imposed sanctions against a total of 131 Venezuelan individuals, according to Global Affairs.

The Canadian Press contributed to this article.