23 September, 2017
The Canadian foreign affairs ministry Friday announced sanctions on 40 Venezuelans, including Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, China's Xinhua news agency reported.
"These decisive actions are in response to the Government of Venezuela's deepening descent into dictatorship", Freeland said.
The assembly is filled with pro-government supporters and has assumed the powers of the opposition-held parliament.
The statement also warned they threaten to undermine efforts to initiate, with the support and support of members of the global community, the dialogue between the government and the Venezuelan opposition.
"Canada's government established.an immoral association of subordination with the government of President Donald Trump with the clear aim of overthrowing Venezuela's constitutional government using economic sanctions as political weapons", the government said in a statement.
Canada will impose sanctions against senior members of the Venezuelan government over their "anti-democratic behaviour".
Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said, "Today's announcement of sanctions against the Maduro regime underscores our commitment to defending democracy and human rights around the world".
The sanctions ban Canadians from any dealings with the South American country and freeze any assets the 40 Venezuelan officials may have in Canada. More than 120 people have been killed during four months of protests against Maduro's plans to rewrite Venezuela's constitution.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing sweeping financial sanctions on Venezuela's government last month. Maduro has blamed Venezuela's financial problems on an alleged "economic war" by domestic opponents and the United States. "To be sanctioned by Canada, I think has a real symbolic significance".
So far, there is no comment from Venezuela.
