Ottawa, ON – On Friday, October 16, Conservative Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Michael Chong held a phone call with H.E. Orlando Viera-Blanco, Ambassador of Venezuela to Canada, about Canada-Venezuela relations.

Chong highlighted several items with the Ambassador, including:

  • Conservatives are deeply concerned about the Venezuelan people and the unfolding humanitarian crisis, a result of the political and economic crisis brought on by the illegitimate government of dictator Nicolás Maduro.
  • Conservatives recognize Mr. Juan Guaidó as President of the National Assembly of Venezuela and Interim President of Venezuela.
  • Conservatives support Canada, and other countries, in referring credible allegations that serious international crimes concerning human rights may have been committed in Venezuela to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
  • Conservatives support Canada’s imposition of sanctions against those individuals responsible for the crisis.
  • Conservatives support the efforts of the Lima Group, a group of 12 countries, in their effort to support the return of democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela.

H.E. Viera-Blanco congratulated MP Chong on his appointment and thanked him for the Conservatives’ continued support for Venezuela. H.E. Viera Blanco raised the issue of allegations referred to the ICC, the evidence concerning crimes against humanity, the doctrine of the responsibility to protect in relation to Venezuela, the upcoming illegitimate election on December 6, and Venezuelan refugees.

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