The Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies at Concordia University and the Canadian International Canada (Montreal Branch) are delighted to host diplomat Orlando Viera-Blanco, the Venezuelan Ambassador to Canada, to discuss the crisis in Venezuela, risks of mass atrocity crimes and the failure of the current government to uphold its responsibility to protect.

Since President Nicolas Maduro took office in 2013, the disastrous economic and political situation in Venezuela has resulted in hyper-inflation and the collapse of essential services. In January, opposition leader Juan Guaido was recognized as the interim president of Venezuela, leading to a stand-off with Maduro for control of the state. Venezuelans are fleeing their country in high numbers. More than 7,000 people have been killed in “security operations” and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has raised alarm about the number of extrajudicial killing and arbitrary detentions.

Canada has showed its support to Venezuelans in their efforts to achieve political and economic reforms, and joined the Group of Lima to contribute to the restoration of democracy through peaceful and negotiated means.