By Canadian Press

Canada to host Lima Group ministers meeting on Venezuela crisis next week

Feb 12, 2020 | 9:05 AM

OTTAWA — Canada will host a meeting of its Lima Group partners next week in an attempt to build new momentum in their effort to bring democracy to Venezuela.

The gathering of foreign ministers from the coalition of Western Hemisphere countries — minus the United States — is set for next Thursday.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido is not expected to attend the meeting because he has just returned to Venezuela after an extensive world tour that included Canada, Europe and the U.S. to drum up support for his efforts to oust President Nicolas Maduro.

Canada and dozens of countries recognize Guaido as Venezuela’s legitimate leader, and view Maduro as a dictator who stole his country’s last election. 

A senior Canadian official, who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly about the plan, says next week’s meeting is an attempt to build on Guaido’s recent international travels.

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Canada last hosted the Lima Group one year ago in Ottawa. The group includes Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 12, 2020.

The Canadian Press