Canada has imposed sanctions on five high-ranking Venezuelan officials, accusing them of engaging in activities that undermine the country’s democracy. The Canadian Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday that the sanctions were aimed at individuals involved in the fraudulent declaration of Nicolás Maduro’s victory in the July 28, 2024, presidential election.
The officials affected include the head of Venezuela’s Supreme Justice Tribunal, Caryslia Beatriz Rodriguez, as well as a Supreme Tribunal judge, a member of the National Electoral Council, another judge, and a prosecutor.
The Venezuelan government is still mum on the sanctions as the communications ministry and the Supreme Court did not respond to requests for comment.
In a statement, Canada reiterated its concerns over the actions of the Maduro regime and said that these officials played key roles in securing the contested third term of Maduro. The government has refused to release ballot box-level vote counts despite calls from international bodies for transparency. The opposition, however, published its own tally, claiming a decisive victory for opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, who later fled the country.
The government of Maduro has long dismissed foreign sanctions as illegitimate and part of an “economic war” designed to cripple Venezuela. Even though Maduro and his allies point to the resilience of the country despite the sanctions, the blame for the country’s still-unfolding economic woes is continually placed on external pressures.
The US further extended sanctions on Venezuelan officials last November, targeting 21 high-ranking figures for their role in the crushing of post-election protests. During those protests, at least 24 people were killed and thousands arrested, including minors. Venezuelan authorities announced that they would release over 500 detained protesters, but human rights groups have questioned how complete these releases are.
This action by Canada indicates increasing international criticism of the Venezuelan government, as both Canada and the US accuse Maduro’s administration of destabilizing the country and repressing opposition voices.
