Backgrounder: Canada Imposes Sanctions against Venezuelan Officials
December 17, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario – Canada has imposed sanctions against 13 Venezuelan officials for their involvement in “gross and systematic violations of human rights” against the Venezuelan people.
The sanctions, announced by Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, target high-ranking officials from the military and security forces, as well as government ministers and members of the judiciary.
The individuals sanctioned are accused of being responsible for the arbitrary detention, torture, and extrajudicial killings of political opponents, journalists, and civil society activists.
Canada’s sanctions consist of travel bans and asset freezes. The sanctioned individuals are also prohibited from conducting business with Canadian companies or individuals.
In a statement, Minister Joly said that the sanctions “send a clear message that Canada condemns the ongoing human rights abuses in Venezuela and will hold those responsible to account.”
“Canada stands with the Venezuelan people in their struggle for democracy and human rights,” she added.
The Venezuelan government has condemned the sanctions as “illegal” and “unilateral.” It has accused Canada of interfering in its internal affairs and of supporting the opposition.
The sanctions are part of a broader effort by Canada and other international partners to pressure the Venezuelan government to respect human rights and restore democracy.
In March 2023, the Canadian government imposed sanctions against the Venezuelan state oil company, PDVSA. The sanctions were aimed at cutting off the regime’s access to international finance.
In June 2024, Canada joined a group of countries in the Organization of American States (OAS) in calling for free and fair elections in Venezuela.
The sanctions are the latest in a series of measures taken by Canada to address the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.
Canada has provided over $100 million in humanitarian assistance to Venezuela since 2015. The assistance has been used to provide food, water, medical supplies, and shelter to Venezuelans who have been displaced or affected by the crisis.
Canada has also been a vocal critic of the Venezuelan government’s human rights record. In 2021, Canada joined a group of countries in the United Nations Human Rights Council in calling for an international investigation into the human rights abuses in Venezuela.
The Venezuelan government has refused to cooperate with the investigation.
List of Sanctioned Individuals
The 13 Venezuelan officials sanctioned by Canada are:
- Tarek William Saab – Attorney General of Venezuela
- Diosdado Cabello – President of the National Constituent Assembly
- Néstor Reverol – Minister of Interior, Justice, and Peace
- Vladímir Padrino López – Minister of Defense
- Remigio Ceballos – Strategic Operational Commander of the Bolivarian Armed Forces
- Rafael Bastardo – Director of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN)
- Irma Varela – President of the Supreme Court of Justice
- Juan José Mendoza – President of the National Electoral Council
- Iris Varela – Minister of the Penitentiary Service
- Carmen Meléndez – Governor of Lara state
- Héctor Rodríguez – Governor of Miranda state
- Jorge Rodríguez – Mayor of Caracas
- Ernesto Villegas – Minister of Culture
Backgrounder: Canada imposes sanctions against Venezuelan officials
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