Thank you very much, Chair and members of the committee.
Nicolás Maduro presided over Venezuela from 2013 until January of this year. During this time, corruption became institutionalized in the government and military at all levels. The regime co-opted the judiciary, the economy was mismanaged to a state of ruin, and authorities engaged in systematic political repression. The regime became a beneficiary of, if not an active participant in, illegal mining, money laundering, drug trafficking and other illicit revenue streams, working with non-state and criminal armed groups.
In response to this corruption, attacks on democratic institutions and systematic human rights violations, Canada has sanctioned 139 individuals since 2017. The EU and the U.K. have also imposed sanctions on the regime, and the U.S. has imposed both sectoral and individual sanctions.
Under the leadership of María Corina Machado, the opposition mounted a coordinated campaign for the 2024 presidential elections, which they handily won, as shown through official voting tallies collected by poll watchers. Maduro nonetheless declared himself the victor and unleashed an unprecedented level of political arrests and violence to counter popular protests. Canada, the U.S., the U.K., and the EU, along with at least eight Latin American countries, refused to recognize Maduro's claim of victory.
Then on January 3, 2026, U.S. forces executed Operation Absolute Resolve, deploying military aircraft and special operations troops in Venezuela to capture Nicolás Maduro in what they have framed as a law enforcement action. The arrest of Maduro was an unprecedented moment, and its long-term repercussions are still very much uncertain.
The context has now changed. Delcy Rodríguez is the de facto acting president and is being recognized as Venezuela's leader by the U.S. under what it sees as a three-step plan, consisting of an initial phase of stabilization and a secondary stage of recovery and institution rebuilding in order to prepare for what it sees as the third phase: a transition to democracy.
The Venezuelan economy remains fragile following years of hyperinflation and a massive contraction of GDP. Roughly 60% of households lack sufficient income to purchase basic food, and acute malnutrition remains high among children. Venezuela ranks among the least peaceful countries globally, characterized by high levels of organized crime and limited law enforcement effectiveness. As a result, approximately eight million Venezuelans have left the country since 2014, making it one of the largest displacement crises in recent history.
The regime in Venezuela that stole the 2024 elections and imprisoned hundreds of political opponents remains in power. Nonetheless, there is now cautious optimism in the country. Over 600 political prisoners have been released, although hundreds more remain incarcerated. An amnesty law has been passed, but it has limited scope, and loopholes may allow the regime to rearrest people. There have also been some nascent moves towards attracting international investment to rehabilitate crumbling infrastructure and generate oil revenue for the country, although the lack of rule of law and the unpredictability remain significant disincentives.
Canada has long been committed to supporting a Venezuelan-led democratic transition to end political oppression, serious human rights violations and the humanitarian crisis. In collaboration with other countries in the region, Canada has referred the situation in Venezuela to the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity committed by the regime since 2014.
Canada has played a key role in the international response to the Venezuelan migration crisis. The government has organized or co-organized two major donor conferences to support Venezuelan refugees and migrants. It has also provided capacity-building and technical assistance to countries in the region hosting these refugees, to facilitate their integration. Since 2019, Canada has provided over $260 million in humanitarian and development aid to address the Venezuelan crisis and its repercussions in the region.
In Venezuela, Canada's primary interest remains the establishment and maintenance of long-term stability. We believe this must come in the form of a peaceful democratic transition led by Venezuelans. Further destabilization risks regional disorder, including heightened tensions, violence and criminality, all of which can reach Canadian shores. A democratic, stable Venezuela could become a valuable partner for Canada, strengthening co-operation on hemispheric security, democracy support and multilateral engagement.
Finally, in the medium to long term, Venezuela could offer significant opportunities for Canadian companies, particularly in energy, infrastructure, mining, agri-food, energy transition and environmental impact mitigation and related services. Venezuela is a large country with a relatively well-educated population and sits on a cache of natural resources that could bring about substantial prosperity if developed in a transparent, democratic and responsible manner. Such a Venezuela could be a middle-power strategic partner for Canada. We hope that Venezuela moves in that direction, and we are ready to help enable that change.
Thank you.
