Canada has sanctioned 14 Venezuelan officials, both current and former, for their alleged role in human rights abuses in Venezuela. The Canadian foreign ministry announced on Friday that the sanctions were in line with similar actions by its allies, including the United States and the United Kingdom. This move is aimed at showing solidarity with the Venezuelan people, who have suffered a severe political and economic crisis under the government of President Nicolás Maduro for a long time.
Sanctions follow the United States stepping up pressure on Venezuela, which imposed new sanctions on eight Venezuelan officials and increased the reward to $25 million for the arrest of Maduro. The measures were taken on the same day Maduro began his controversial third term after election marred with disputes. Whereas the ruling Socialist Party of Maduro declared victory in July’s election, opposition factions declared a win and the international community condemned the process as flawed.
United Kingdom followed suit along with Canada and the US, imposing new sanctions on 15 individuals connected to Venezuela, including members of the security forces, military officials, and the head of Venezuela’s top court.
Despite these sanctions, which Maduro claims are an “economic war” to destabilize his government, he and his allies claim that Venezuela has been withstanding the daily hardships and scarcity for too long. International isolation and continued pressure on Venezuela’s leadership, however, continue to indicate the unending crisis facing the South American nation.
