Canada pledges $53 million in aid to Venezuela’s refugee crisis

The Trudeau government has pledged to give $53 million dollars to help with Venezuela’s refugee crisis. This money will be going to the neighbouring countries where three million Venezuelans have fled to escape the humanitarian crisis of food shortage.

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro denies the food crisis in the countries. He holds the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and smugglers accountable for what his government calls “localized supply problems.”

Foreign Ministers from the Lima group meet in Ottawa today to discuss the end of President Nicolas Maduro’s government. The Lima group was first established in 2017 to resolve the crisis in Venezuela.

The Lima group countries along with Canada recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as the new president of Venezuela. The purpose of today’s meeting is to find ways to officially recognize Guaido as Venezuela’s president.

Mexico holds a strong position in the Lima group. However, its President Andrés Manuel López Obrador did not attend the meeting as he has chosen a neutral stance for this political crisis.

Mexico continues to be a part of the Lima group of countries.

Canada, the European Union, and Venezuela consider Maduro to be a dictator.

Courtesy of CBC News and Naila Tahir