Regional Bloc Plans Pressure Campaign Against Venezuela’s Maduro

By David Ljunggren

OTTAWA (Reuters) – A significant coalition of Latin American nations and Canada will convene on Monday to discuss strategies for maintaining pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to conduct new elections, following widespread demands for his resignation after last year’s controversial presidential vote.

Sources familiar with the situation indicate that the 14-member Lima Group is likely to refrain from implementing additional sanctions on Maduro’s government during its meeting in Ottawa.

Most members of the group advocate for Maduro’s resignation in favor of opposition leader Juan Guaido, who recently declared himself interim president, and are urging a new presidential election in Venezuela, a nation grappling with turmoil.

The United States, although not part of the Lima Group, also seeks Maduro’s removal.

“A key focus will be how to continue supporting the opposition, increasing pressure on the regime, and pushing for new elections,” stated a Canadian government official.

In an interview aired on Spanish television on Sunday, Maduro, who has presided over an economic decline and the mass migration of millions, remarked, “We don’t accept ultimatums from anyone,” and insisted, “I refuse to call for elections now—there will be elections in 2024.”

Maduro has claimed that Guaido is orchestrating a coup orchestrated by the United States, having retained significant backing from the military.

The Ottawa meeting will also address humanitarian assistance for the Venezuelan populace, according to the office of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Last month, the Lima Group imposed a travel ban on high-ranking Venezuelan officials and froze their foreign assets. A Canadian source, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation, declined to comment on whether further punitive measures might be considered. However, two sources informed of the discussions indicated that such actions are unlikely at this time.

Recently, the Trump administration in the U.S. implemented sanctions on Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA, aiming to diminish revenues for the country, which is grappling with shortages of medicine and food.

Trump remarked in a recent interview that military intervention in Venezuela remains “an option.”

On Sunday, Trudeau conversed with Guaido, emphasizing the need for the international community to send a clear message regarding the illegitimacy of the Maduro regime.

A notable challenge for participants in the meeting is Mexico’s opposition, as the nation defends any moves to unseat Maduro, who enjoys the backing of Russia, China, and Turkey.

While European Union governments are poised to recognize Guaido as interim president, they intend to use measured language to avoid establishing a precedent for political crises, according to diplomatic sources. This cautious approach, however, has drawn frustration from neighboring countries like Colombia.

“The top priority now is to align Europe and intensify Venezuela’s isolation along with its supporters,” stated a government official in Bogota, speaking anonymously.