Canada to downgrade diplomatic ties with Venezuela after controversial election

OTTAWA – The Canadian government plans to apply pressure on Venezuela by announcing it won't seek to replace its ambassador in Caracas following a presidential election in the South American country that has attracted widespread international condemnation.

A senior federal government official says Canada is downgrading its diplomatic ties after what Ottawa views as an illegitimate and undemocratic electoral process that is keeping President Nicolas Maduro in power.

The move by Ottawa comes as countries around the world increase their pressure on the already embattled Venezuelan government for failing to provide its citizens with a fair, democratic and transparent process.

Canada is part of a coalition of 14 countries across the Americas, including Mexico, Brazil and Colombia, that are vowing to roll back diplomatic relations with Venezuela following the election and are raising fresh concerns over its deepening political, economic and humanitarian crises.

In December, Ottawa stripped Venezuelan diplomats of their credentials in response to the same being done to Canada's charge d'affaires — who was the diplomat heading up the embassy in Caracas in the absence of the ambassador.

Shortly before Christmas, officials in Venezuela took steps toward expelling Canadian diplomat Craig Kowalik from the country by declaring him persona non grata and taking away his diplomatic credentials.

At the time, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said the Venezuelan Ambassador to Canada, who had already been withdrawn by the Venezuelan government, was no longer welcome in Canada. She also revoked the Venezuelan charge d'affaires' status.