Good afternoon. I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 25 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Tuesday, February 12, 2026, the committee is meeting on the situation in Venezuela.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders. Members are attending in person in the room and remotely using the Zoom application.
I would like to ask all in-person participants to consult the guidelines written on the cards on the table. These measures are in place to prevent audio and feedback incidents and to protect the health and safety of all the participants, including the interpreters.
I'd like to make a few comments for the benefit of the witnesses and members.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. For those participating by video conference, click on the microphone icon to activate your mic and please mute yourself when you are not speaking. For those on Zoom, at the bottom of your screen you can select the appropriate channel for interpretation. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and select the desired channel.
This is a reminder that all comments should be addressed through the chair. For members in the room, if you wish to speak, please raise your hand. For members on Zoom, please use the “raise hand” function. The clerk and I will manage the speaking order as best we can.
I would now like to welcome our witnesses. From the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, we have the Honourable Stuart Savage, ambassador, permanent representative of Canada to the Organization of American States, by video conference, and Wendy Drukier, director general of South America and hemispheric affairs.
Up to five minutes will be given for opening remarks, after which we will proceed to rounds of questions.
I now invite Ms. Drukier to make an opening statement.