The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced she will attend the meeting of Lima Group foreign affairs and finance ministers on the Venezuela crisis to be held in Mexico City, Mexico, on May 14, 2018.

“Canada rejects the holding of an illegitimate presidential election that bars the opposition and a free press—and only serves to further entrench a dictatorial regime. With my fellow Lima Group ministers, I will continue to advocate on behalf of the Venezuelan people, who deserve to have their democratic and human rights respected. We will discuss methods to hold the regime to account.”

- Hon. Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs

“Canada stands with the Venezuelan people and supports their desire for democratic and economic stability. Working with our international partners, we are committed to helping build a more peaceful and prosperous world—one where democracy can flourish through a global economy that works for everyone.”

- Hon. Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance

• The Lima Group was established on August 8, 2017, in Lima, Peru, to coordinate participating countries’ efforts and apply international pressure on Venezuela. Meetings of the group have been regularly attended by Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Saint Lucia.

• The Lima Group, which met most recently on February 13, 2018, in Lima, Peru, is committed to closely monitoring events in Venezuela and applying pressure on Venezuela’s government until the full restoration of democracy in the country is achieved. 

• Canada hosted the third ministerial meeting of the Lima Group in Toronto, Ontario, on October 26, 2017. The group discussed options to broaden cooperation with other international partners, maintain pressure on the Maduro regime and translate the group’s unwavering support for the Venezuelan people into further concrete actions. For Canada, this has involved two rounds of sanctions imposed on the Maduro regime.

• Finance ministers from the hemisphere, Europe and Japan have met twice this year to discuss the situation in Venezuela. On the margins of the G20 finance ministers’ meeting in March, ministers agreed to work together to prevent corrupt Venezuelan officials from abusing the international financial system. In April, ministers concurred that Venezuela’s recovery from the crisis will take time and will require a comprehensive international response in the event of a transition to a democratic and reform-oriented government. The May 14 meeting in Mexico City will be the first time that finance ministers have been included in a meeting of the Lima Group.

Associated links

• Canada and the Venezuela crisis

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

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