Canada's response to the Venezuela crisis

On this page

• Political situation
• What Canada is doing
• Human rights violations and crimes against humanity
• Sanctions
• Humanitarian situation and development efforts
• Refugee and migrant situation
• Statements
• Related links

Political situation

The ongoing political, economic and humanitarian crises in Venezuela and its impact across the region, concerns Canada. The Maduro regime controls Venezuela’s institutions. This includes the judicial, executive and legislative branches. It exercises full control over all decision-making, election outcomes, and legal proceedings. The regime has criminalized and silenced dissent by arresting and harassing political figures and social leaders, including human rights defenders and humanitarian workers. More than 200 political prisoners are still in jail. Independent news media, journalists and media workers are targeted in Venezuela and subject to continued censorship measures.

Venezuela is one of the primary sources of geopolitical tension and instability in the Western hemisphere. The regime has developed illicit revenue sources with violent non-state actors, including transnational criminal gangs and foreign armed groups. This dynamic complicates Venezuela's return to democracy. It also strengthens armed groups that operate in Colombia, contributing to challenges in implementing the Colombian Peace Agreement.

The association of Maduro regime officers and the military with these non-state violent groups is of particular concern.

Regional destabilization is occurring due to participation in:

• gold mining
• drug trafficking
• human trafficking
• illicit financing
• environmental destruction

What Canada is doing

Canada is committed to protecting human rights. We’re helping Venezuelans find a negotiated solution to the crisis by promoting a peaceful return to democracy. Canada is supportive of the negotiation process between Venezuela’s democratic forces and the Maduro regime. Canada will support agreements made by the parties at the negotiation process. We strongly encourage the parties to take part in good faith.

Canada has been instrumental in the adoption of several statements and resolutions, namely within the following organizations:

• The G7
• The G20
• The UN Human Rights Council
• The Organization of American States

We support the people of Venezuela in their efforts to improve the human rights situation and living conditions.

We have joined with other countries to discuss the critical situation in Venezuela. We are exploring ways to contribute to restore of democracy through peaceful and negotiated means.

The situation in Venezuela has resulted in millions of Venezuelans leaving the country and seeking refuge in neighbouring countries, leading to one of the largest displacements of people in the world. Canada has demonstrated leadership by highlighting the crisis internationally, particularly by hosting and participating in solidarity conferences to raise funds in support of responses in host countries. To learn more, please visit International conferences in solidarity with Venezuelan refugees and migrants.

Human rights violations and crimes against humanity

In its September 2022 report, the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela concluded that de facto President Maduro, seconded by other high-level officials, made concerted efforts to remain in power. Particularly, by resorting to means that include the commission of crimes and violations amounting to crimes against humanity against opponents and persons perceived as such.

In November 2021, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court opened a formal investigation to find if crimes against humanity have been committed by the regime.

In September 2020, the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela found reasonable grounds to believe that members of the Maduro regime committed acts that constituted “crimes against humanity”.

In 2018, Canada joined with partners to refer the situation in Venezuela to the International Criminal Court. This was based on credible reports of systematic violations of human rights concluding that serious international crimes may have been committed.

Sanctions

Canada has imposed sanctions on individuals involved in:

• attacks on democratic institution
• gross violations of human rights
• acts of significant corruption

We promote accountability, and end impunity for those responsible for such acts. These measures consist of asset freezes and prohibitions on dealings with sanctioned individuals. Canada reviews its sanctions on an ongoing basis and takes action as needed.

Humanitarian situation and development efforts

The ongoing crisis in Venezuela continues to affect access to basic commodities and essential services such as:

• food
• health
• education
• protection
• water
• sanitation
• hygiene

As of 2022, 81.5% of Venezuelans live in poverty, and 53.3% in extreme poverty. COVID-19 has placed extra strain on the healthcare system.

Since 2019, Canada has provided over $50 million in humanitarian, development, and stabilization assistance.

Canada’s bilateral development program in Venezuela focuses on women and girls facing increased vulnerabilities in:

• health
• education
• livelihood

For example, Canada’s support for school lunches ensures vulnerable children stay in school and helps in meeting critical nutritional needs. Canada is also supporting the sexual reproductive health and rights of Venezuelan adolescent girls and boys.

Refugee and migrant situation

More than 7.2 million Venezuelans have fled or left Venezuela since 2015.

About 85% of this population remain in:

• Colombia
• Peru
• Ecuador
• Chile

This is placing significant pressure on receiving countries to provide basic services, such as:

• protection
• health
• education
• employment

Canada recognizes the leadership of many Latin American and Caribbean countries in responding to this unprecedented situation and applauds their efforts to integrate Venezuelan refugees and migrants into their countries and communities.

Canada supports the efforts of host countries. Since 2019, Canada has provided over CAD $180 million to help meet the needs of Venezuelan refugees and migrants, and the communities hosting them.

This includes support to improve access to:

• health
• education
• protection services
• employment

We’re strengthening migration-related institutions and combatting human trafficking.

For example, since 2015 Canada has provided funding to Cuso International to improve inclusive economic growth in Colombia.

This project has provided training for women, victims of armed conflict, at-risk youth, and Venezuelan migrants. This program led to employment for:

• Venezuelan refugees and migrants
• returned Colombians
• members of host communities

In 2022, the project expanded to Ecuador and Peru.

Canada works with the Group of Friends of the Quito Process, which is a donor group that supports the efforts of host countries to find coordinated regional responses to respond to the needs of Venezuelan refugees and migrants and their host communities.

Statements

Canada has been instrumental in the passing of several statements and resolutions at the Organization of American States supporting the people of Venezuela in their efforts to achieve political and economic reforms. We have also 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.

Related links

• Embassy of Canada in Venezuela (operations temporarily suspended)
• Venezuela travel advice and advisories
• Canadian sanctions related to Venezuela
• The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives