The Government of Canada issued a statement expressing its full support to Peru's decision to block Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from attending the Summit of the Americas on April 13 and 14 in Lima.
According to the government official, 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 a dictatorship, and as Venezuelans continue to suffer, Maduro's participation at a hemispheric leaders' summit would have been farcical," Freeland stated.
"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," she added.
She went on to explain that with these conditions unmet, Venezuela's elections will lack any legitimacy or credibility.
(END) NDP/RMB
Published: 2/14/2018