Colleagues, I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 26 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 February 12, 2026, the committee is meeting on the situation in Venezuela.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format. I've spoken about the logistics around this, so I'll skip that.
For the benefit of 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 microphone, 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: floor, English or French. For those in the room, you can use the earpiece and select the desired channel.
I will remind you that all comments should be addressed through the chair.
I would now like to welcome our witnesses. We have, as an individual, Daniel Di Martino, fellow, Manhattan Institute, who is joining us today by video conference; and Dr. Robert Johnston, director of energy and natural resources policy, School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, by video conference. We have, from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Kristin Halvorsen, acting representative in Venezuela, by video conference; and from the International Crisis Group, Elizabeth Dickinson, deputy director, Latin America, by video conference.
I'd like to thank the witnesses for their availability and flexibility.
Earlier today, a decision was made to bring all the witnesses together in a single panel for the full two hours of the meeting, but we understand that some of you may need to leave before the end of the meeting due to prior commitments—for example, Dr. Johnston around 4:30 p.m. and Ms. Dickinson around 4:45 p.m. I also understand that there is consensus among colleagues that we'll probably proceed for up to an hour and a half, as opposed to the full two hours.
Up to five minutes will be given for opening remarks, after which we will proceed with rounds of questions from members of the committee.
I now invite Ms. Halvorsen to make an opening statement of up to five minutes.