Canada - Venezuela Relations

Canada and Venezuela have had unbroken diplomatic relations since February 1948, when the Canadian Consulate General in Caracas was opened. In January 1953, the office of the Canadian Consulate General in Caracas was elevated to an Embassy, and Henry G. Norman became the first Ambassador. Canadian trade with Latin America, including Venezuela, was growing. Just as the Embassy was opening, Canada's Trade and Commerce Minister, the Rt. Honourable C.D. Howe, was taking a group of prominent Canadian business people and government advisers on a five-week trade mission to 10 Latin American and Caribbean countries, including Venezuela. The new Canadian Embassy in Caracas cultivated Canada's expanding trade and investment ties with Venezuela and worked to make Canada better known as a destination for students and other Venezuelans.

Key Issues

· Canada-Venezuela relations
The Government of Canada is maintaining a dialogue with the government of President Chavez, particularly on the issues of democratic governance and economic and social development. Canada is also promoting constructive dialogue with Venezuela on a multilateral level, notably within the Organization of American States (OAS).

· Democracy and human rights
President Hugo Chavez, first elected in 1998, was re-elected in December 2006 with 61% of the vote. A number of national and international observers were on hand for the elections, including an OAS Electoral Observation Mission (EOM), to which Canada contributed $110,000. Five Canadians were members of the EOM. Some irregularities were noted by the EOM, especially with regard to polling station closing times, but the EOM described the conduct of the election as generally satisfactory. A referendum on proposed Constitutional reforms was narrowly defeated in December 2007. While no EOM was invited to monitor this vote, the result was accepted by most Venezuelans and members of the international community.

The reforms being brought in by President Chavez as part of the “Bolivarian Revolution” have markedly intensified since December 2006. Canada is monitoring the process closely and paying particular attention to the impact these reforms may have on standards of democracy and human rights that have been endorsed by all OAS Member States, particularly in the Inter-American Democratic Charter. It is also Canadian policy to support civil society and foster its contribution to the democratic process in many countries around the world. Thus, Canada continues to support civil society organizations that are working in the areas of democracy and human rights in Venezuela.

· Culture and education
The strengthening of cultural and academic ties is an important aspect of Canada’s relationship with Venezuela. The Canadian Embassy in Venezuela actively promotes Canadian culture in the areas of performing, visual and media arts and actively participates in Francophonie events in Venezuela. The Embassy is working to establish a new Canadian Studies Centre in the months ahead.

Trade and Investment

International Trade Canada is responsible for positioning Canada as a world business leader and for promoting Canada as a dynamic place to do business. Visit the International Trade Canada web site for information about services for Canadian companies, non-Canadian companies, business development, and information relating to investment or trade policy.

Indigenous Relations

Learn more about the Aboriginal dimension of Canada's relations with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Development Assistance

CIDA supports projects in the Americas and around the world that are eligible for Canadian aid through development cooperation initiatives.

May 2008