Venezuelans across Canada are protesting the shady election of incumbent President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist regime and they are not happy with Canada’s official statement on the fiercely contested ballot results.
Global Affairs Canada has issued an official statement regarding the contentious election results in Venezuela which have caused widespread protests in the South American country and beyond.
The declaration by Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly comes amid several demonstrations by the Venezuelan diaspora in major Canadian cities including in Toronto.
“We deeply regret that Venezuelan authorities did not respect this impressive civic engagement by failing to share the proof of the results,” wrote Joly in her statement.
“The electoral data collected by citizen witnesses and independent international observers provides credible evidence that the results claimed by Maduro authorities of this election don’t reflect the will of the Venezuelan people.”
Venezuelans abroad have answered calls from pro-democracy opposition leaders Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez who claim that Maduro is not respecting an election that saw them win by a landslide.
Notably, approximately 300 individuals assembled to protest what they term electoral fraud outside the Ontario legislature at Queen’s Park in downtown Toronto.
As per social media posts, protesters were joined by Conservative MPs Pat Kelly, Tom Kmiec and Suvaloy Majumdar.
Venezuelan electoral authorities declared President Maduro the victor despite a lack of transparent voting data to corroborate his win and widespread arrests of opposition figures.
The Canadian response has been lacklustre and insufficiently assertive, according to Toronto protest organizer Rebecca Sarfatti.
“I know most people here have somebody who has suffered either now or in the past from this regime… they don’t feel safe going outside,” Sarfatti told the Canadian Press.
Canada’s statement stands in stark contrast to the United States’ overt endorsement of opposition candidate González.
The U.S. and the European Union, along with nations such as Argentina, Costa Rica and Ecuador have openly dismissed the official election results.
Minister Joly’s statement conveyed apprehension over reports of violence and skepticism regarding the electoral process’s integrity but did not endorse either side.
Others joining in criticism of the statement include Anaida Poilievre, spouse of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who labelled the Canadian government’s statement “weak” on social media.
The Venezuelan prosecutor’s office has initiated a criminal probe against opposition figures Machado and Gonzalez, accusing them of inciting the military to abandon support for President Maduro and to cease the suppression of demonstrators.
Attorney General Saab has accused them of prematurely declaring an election winner and instigating insubordination within the security forces.
This political turmoil occurs against the backdrop of a humanitarian crisis, with Venezuela ranking among the top five nations generating refugees, as per United Nations data.
The dire economic situation and pervasive poverty under the Chavist regime have led nearly 7 million individuals to flee the country.
Other Canadian cities such as Vancouver and Ottawa also saw protests by Venezuelans.
