Embattled Venezuelan president thanks Canada for support, asks world for more help restoring democracy
OTTAWA – Venezuela’s embattled President Juan Guaidó said Canada’s support has been essential as he tries to take control of his country, but said more still needs to be done to restore democracy in his homeland.
Guaidó is recognized by the international community and by some elected officials inside Venezuela, but he doesn’t have the support of the country’s armed forces or courts, who remain loyal to Nicolás Maduro.
Guaidó arrived in Ottawa on Monday after stops in both London and Paris trying to garner more support from the international community. Speaking through a translator, he acknowledged he could face difficulties returning to his country
“Everything is a risk in Venezuela,” he said.
He said many of his staff were in hiding as they fear arrest, but it was important to keep fighting for change.
Venezuela has been in an economic and humanitarian crisis for several years, with Maduro’s socialist government leading to hyperinflation, price spikes and shortages of basic goods. Maduro took over from former president Hugo Chavez after his death in 2013. Maduro’s election in 2018 was seen as illegitimate, with opposition leaders jailed during the vote.
Millions of people have fled the country and thousands have been injured or killed in protests.
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne continued to call for free and fair elections and for Maduro to step down.
“Make no mistake, the situation has gone from bad to worse, as a direct result of the actions of the Maduro regime,” Champagne said after a meeting with Guaidó on Monday. “We wish to see a peaceful transition to democracy in Venezuela.”
Guaidó also met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau late in the afternoon and was recognized in the House of Commons after Question Period.
Following the flawed election in 2018, Maduro was encouraged by the international community to hold a new vote, but he refused. The country’s congress elected Guaidó president, using a provision in the nation’s constitution that allows for the president to be replaced. Maduro was also sworn in as president and his government doesn’t recognize Guaidó’s authority as legitimate.
Venezuelan President Juan Guaidó arrives for a photo with Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois-Philippe Champagne in Ottawa on Jan. 27, 2020.
Canada partnered with several South American countries in a new international body called the Lima Group that recognized Guaidó as president and has continued to push for Maduro to step down. Canada is the only G7 member of the Lima Group and has helped drive the effort. Canada also partnered with several of the countries in the Lima Group to call for an investigation of the Maduro regime from the International Criminal Court.
Maduro has said all of the international pressures are an attempt by the United States to instigate a coup in Venezuela. The U.S. is not a member of the Lima Group, but has said it supports its efforts.
Guaidó said Canada’s support has been invaluable to bringing about change.
“We thank the members of the Lima Group deeply. We thank Canada deeply.”
Despite the risk, he said he was travelling to western countries so the people of Venezuela would be heard.
“I am here to speak on behalf of the people of Venezuela who don’t have a voice.”
We thank Canada deeply
He said people inside Venezuela rely on media from outside the country, because there is so much censorship inside the nation’s borders.
Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world and the country was previously prosperous. Guaidó said that has all changed, he said people are starving due to food and water shortages. He said there have also been severe crackdowns on protesters speaking out against the regime and violence has become widespread.
“There have been 18,000 extrajudicial murders in our country.”
Canada’ official travel advisory recommends against any travel to the country.
The federal government has used Magnitsky Act sanctions against 113 members of Maduro’s regime, banning their travel and freezing assets they have in Canada.
Guaidó said they would like to see more sanctions to people who have aided the regime around the world.
“We want to sanction corrupt human rights abusers that have left Venezuela.”
Last summer, former foreign affairs minister Chrystia Freeland met with Cuban officials in an attempt to get them to put pressure on the Maduro regime. Champagne said he hopes to continue those efforts, but also plans to keep finding ways to push for change.
“We are going to be engaging not only as the Lima Group, but with others around the world,” he said. “You have to look at the humanitarian crisis going on, we think there will be six million people displaced by the end of the year.”
Champagne said a true settlement to the problem will have to come from the people of Venezuela, but said Canada would continue to be an ally to Guaidó.
“I would like to commend the president for his leadership and his courage.”
• Email: rtumilty@postmedia.com | Twitter: ryantumilty
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source https://newsslap.com/2020/01/28/embattled-venezuelan-president-thanks-canada-for-support-asks-world-for-more-help-restoring-democracy/
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