Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed Canada’s support for the Venezuelan people’s right to determine their future in a peaceful and democratic manner after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the capture of Venezuela’s president on Saturday. Carney stated that Canada has not recognized the Maduro regime since the disputed 2018 election and welcomes the opportunity for freedom and prosperity in Venezuela.
Canada has long advocated for a peaceful transition in Venezuela led by the Venezuelan people and urged all parties to adhere to international law. Following the U.S. military action in Venezuela, Carney emphasized the importance of resolving crises through multilateral engagement and assured support for Canadians through consular officials and the embassy in Bogotá, Colombia.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand echoed the prime minister’s stance, emphasizing Canada’s rejection of the Maduro regime and its repression of the Venezuelan people. Opposition parties expressed mixed reactions to the U.S. intervention, with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre applauding the arrest of Maduro, while NDP Leader Don Davies criticized the attack as illegal and urged Canada to condemn the aggression.
The Bloc Québécois called for respect for sovereignty and international law in addressing the Venezuelan crisis, while the Green Party condemned the strikes on Venezuela and the capture of Maduro as violations of international law and destabilizing actions. The situation represents the most significant U.S. intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama.