Canada announced sanctions targeting eight senior officials of the Venezuelan government, citing their involvement in activities that support human rights violations and undermine democracy.
Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stated that these sanctions demonstrate Canada's commitment to upholding democracy and the rule of law, sending a clear message to Nicolás Maduro's regime that Canada will not tolerate human rights abuses.
President Maduro and his government have consistently rejected sanctions imposed by the United States and others, labeling them as illegitimate measures akin to an "economic war" aimed at crippling Venezuela. Despite these challenges, Maduro and his allies claim the country has shown resilience, although they have historically attributed some economic hardships and shortages to the impact of sanctions.