January 3, 2019 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Lt.-Gen. (ret.) the Honourable Andrew Leslie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will represent Canada at the ninth Lima Group meeting about the Venezuela crisis, to be held in Lima, Peru, on January 4, 2019.
The Lima Group, comprising Canada and regional partners, is committed to taking actions and implementing initiatives aimed at contributing to the restoration of democratic institutions, respect for human rights and the rule of law in Venezuela.
Severe food and medicine shortages, worsening political repression and a crumbling economy have caused over 3 million Venezuelans to leave their country.
The Lima Group will meet to discuss further measures to isolate and pressure the Maduro regime and to work toward a peaceful and democratic outcome.
"We look forward to working with our regional partners to adopt strong measures to defend democracy and human rights in Venezuela against the Maduro dictatorship. We must continue to advocate for the fundamental rights of the Venezuelan people."
- Lt.-Gen. (ret.) the Honourable Andrew Leslie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quick facts
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 representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Saint Lucia.
The Lima Group 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.
