Canada Imposes Sanctions on Venezuelan Officials

OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canada imposed sanctions on five current or former senior officials of the Venezuelan government on Tuesday, stating these individuals engaged in activities that undermine democracy in the country.

The Canadian foreign ministry confirmed in a statement that the targets of the sanctions were implicated in fraudulently declaring Nicolas Maduro the winner of the July 28, 2024, presidential election.

Among those targeted is Caryslia Beatriz Rodríguez, head of Venezuela's top court, the Supreme Justice Tribunal.

Neither the communications ministry nor the court responded immediately to requests for comment regarding the sanctions.

President Maduro and his government have consistently rejected sanctions imposed by the United States and others, labeling them as illegitimate measures constituting an "economic war" intended to cripple Venezuela. Maduro and his allies claim the country has maintained resilience despite these measures, although they have traditionally blamed some economic hardships and shortages on the sanctions.

"Canada remains deeply concerned by the Maduro regime's destabilizing and anti-democratic activities and the threat they pose to Venezuelans and the region," the Canadian foreign ministry stated.