The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) last week spoke out against Canada’s support for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, taking a position opposite that of the Canadian government.
“The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) rejects any attempt by the Canadian government to interfere with the democratic processes and sovereignty of the Venezuelan people,” the union said in a statement.
WATCH: Juan Guiado addresses Venezuela as people protest against Nicolas Maduro
CUPE represents over 680,000 employees across Canada.
Maduro began a second presidential term on Jan. 10 following an election that was dismissed as illegitimate by the opposition and by several foreign powers, including Canada, the United States and the European Union.
“Given the history of US involvement in the region, the actions of Guaidó have all the signs of a coup d’Etat. We warn Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against playing any role in bringing about regime change in another country,” the statement continued.
The Canadian government has been vocal about its support of Guaido, who has declared himself interim president and was sworn in on Wednesday as Venezuelans swarmed the streets to protest Maduro’s socialist regime.
In a statement rejecting Maduro’s mandate earlier this month, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland called Venezuela’s military-backed regime a dictatorship and imposed sanctions on 70 individuals associated with Maduro.
WATCH: Juan Guaido accuses Venezuela security services of threatening his family
Political experts have warned, however, that picking sides in Venezuela’s political conflict runs contrary to international law.
UN human rights expert Idriss Jazairy expressed concern in a statement about the sanctions being imposed by the U.S. on Venezuela’s national oil company in an attempt to oust Maduro.
-
![]()
Venezuela government seeks Guaido probe, freeze of accounts and travel ban -
![]()
More than 40 dead, 850 detained in Venezuela violence, UN says -
![]()
U.S. sanctions against Venezuela are illegal: Russia -
![]()
Foreign interference in Venezuela likely to prolong instability -
![]()
Safety of US diplomatic personnel in Venezuela ‘top priority’: Bolton -
![]()
Mnuchin: Nicolás Maduro is no longer the proper leader of Venezuela -
![]()
Mnuchin: Sanctions on Venezuela will lift once Maduro has left power
“Coercion, whether military or economic, must never be used to seek a change in government in a sovereign state. The use of sanctions by outside powers to overthrow an elected government is in violation of all norms of international law,” read his statement.
Patrick Iber, a historian and expert on U.S.-Latin relations, states in an op-ed for the New York Times that the United States needs to stay out of Venezuela, as it has a history of interfering in the region.
-
![]()
Urgent calls for action in Venezuelan humanitarian crisis -
![]()
Venezuela diplomatic envoy warns Maduro against imprisoning Guaido -
![]()
Maduro claims Trump wants him dead as pressure continues to mount in Venezuela crisis -
![]()
Mysterious Russian plane linked to Venezuelan gold -
![]()
Carlos Vecchio, Venezuela’s new representative to the U.S., meets with V.P. Mike Pence -
![]()
John Bolton’s notes on Venezuela crisis raises eyebrows -
![]()
Venezuela government seeks Guaido probe, freeze of accounts and travel ban
Iber cited instances during the 20th century, especially during the Cold War, when the United States intervened in the governments of Guatemala, Chile and Brazil in the name of restoring democracy, though in many cases left behind more unrest.
In response to demands by the U.S. that Maduro resign, the Venezuelan leader has attempted to sever diplomatic ties with the U.S. and has ordered American diplomats out of the country within three days.
He called the U.S. an imperialist government, citing past military coups that were backed by the U.S. including Guatemala, Chile and Brazil.
-
![]()
‘Immediate and pressing’ refugee crisis in Venezuela: Freeland -
![]()
Canada will host ‘urgent meeting’ of Lima Group amid Venezuela political tensions: Freeland -
![]()
Pope Francis calls for peaceful solution for Venezuela, condemns Philippines and Colombia bombings -
![]()
Maduro softens demands on U.S. diplomats to leave Venezuela -
![]()
U.S. increases pressure on Venezuela, at least 20 reportedly killed in latest clashes -
![]()
Venezuela accuses U.S. and Europe of intervention in backing of Juan Guaido -
![]()
EU calls for “urgent” elections in Venezuela as Russia warns U.S. on military action
Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, is backing the Maduro Regime, along with Cuba and China, who have also called on the United States not to interfere in the country’s politics.
On Thursday evening, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a crowd at a town hall in Milton Ont., that because Maduro is not accepted as president of Venezuela by Venezuelans, he is therefore “illegitimate.”
WATCH: Trudeau says clause in Venezuela constitution shows Guaido is interim president
Trudeau also added that there is a clause in the Venezuelan constitution which states that in the event the country does not have a president, which he said is currently the case, the leader of the National Assembly must step into the role of interim president and begin declaring “free and fair” elections to continue in the future.
The National Assembly claims that according to articles 233 and 333 of the constitution, it has the right to name an interim president to restore the validity of the constitution, reports euronews.com.
According to an estimate from the United Nations, 5,500 Venezuelans are leaving the country each day. More than a million have ended up in neighbouring Colombia, with another 500,000 in Peru.
-
![]()
Every country ‘ought to recognize constitutional leader’ of Venezuela: Pompeo -
![]()
Pompeo urges countries to ‘pick a side’ on Venezuela at UN Security Council meeting -
![]()
Elliott Abrams joining State Department as point person on Venezuela -
![]()
Political crisis in Venezuela as military backs Maduro -
![]()
Venezuela facing power crisis as international community looks on -
![]()
Kremlin: Nicolas Maduro is Venezuela’s legitimate president -
![]()
Chilean president says Chile, Lima Group recognize Juan Guaido as Venezuelan president
Maduro has been in power since 2013, when he succeeded former President Hugo Chavez.
— With files from the Associated Press.
Comments