Canada downgrades diplomatic ties with Venezuela after controversial election
OTTAWA — The Canadian government took steps Monday to apply further pressure on Venezuela by announcing it won’t seek to replace its ambassador in Caracas following a presidential election that has attracted widespread international condemnation.
On Monday, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland called Sunday’s elections, which will keep President Nicolas Maduro in power, “illegitimate and anti-democratic.”
Freeland said that in response, Canada would “downgrade” its diplomatic ties with the South American country, effective immediately.
Among the actions, Ottawa imposed a ban on formal military co-operation with Venezuela and ensure the Canadian embassy in Caracas is only headed by a charge d’affaires rather than an ambassador.