Canada supports decision that President Maduro of Venezuela not welcome at Summit of the Americas

February 14, 2017 - Lima, Peru - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:

“Canada fully supports the announcement by Peru, as host of the upcoming Summit of the Americas, that Nicolás Maduro, the President of Venezuela, is not welcome to attend.

“President Maduro has demonstrated a flagrant disregard for democracy, a cornerstone of the Quebec Declaration signed by Venezuela in 2001. His regime is committing human rights abuses and refusing to allow much-needed humanitarian aid for the people of Venezuela. As Venezuela slides deeper into dictatorship, and as Venezuelans continue to suffer, Maduro’s participation at a hemispheric leaders’ summit would have been farcical. The Summit of the Americas is focused on strengthening democracy and improving the lives of people across the hemisphere; Maduro has shown no commitment to these shared regional objectives.

“I reiterate Canada’s full agreement with the Lima Group declaration issued yesterday. We maintain our demand that presidential elections be called with sufficient advance notice, that international observers participate, and that all Venezuelan political players be included in the election. With these conditions unmet, Venezuela’s elections will lack any legitimacy or credibility.”

Contacts

Adam Austen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Adam.Austen@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
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