Canadian government expels Venezuelan diplomat

Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement: "The Venezuelan government has announced that Canada’s chargé d’affaires in Caracas has been declared persona non grata and will be expelled from the country. This action is typical of the Maduro regime, which has consistently undermined all efforts to restore democracy and to help the Venezuelan people."

She announced that Venezuela's ambassador to Ottawa Wilmer Barrientos Fernández has been expelled from the nation.

The Minister said Wilmer Barrientos Fernández was no longer 'welcome' to Canada.

She also announced Venezuelan charge d’affaires, Angel Herrera, persona non grata.

"In response to this move by the Maduro regime, I am announcing that the Venezuelan Ambassador to Canada – who had already been withdrawn by the Venezuelan government to protest Canadian sanctions against Venezuelan officials implicated in corruption and gross human rights abuses – is no longer welcome in Canada. I am also declaring the Venezuelan chargé d’affaires persona non grata," she said.

She said: "We will continue to work with our partners in the region, including through the Lima Group, to apply pressure on the anti-democratic Maduro regime and restore the rights of the Venezuelan people.”

Venezuela had earlier accused Canada of meddling in the internal affairs of the nation.

"Canada has criticised the government of President Nicolás Maduro over its human rights record.More than 120 people were killed during months of anti-government protests earlier this year," BBC reported.

Full text of Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland statement is given below:

"The Venezuelan government has announced that Canada’s chargé d’affaires in Caracas has been declared persona non grata and will be expelled from the country. This action is typical of the Maduro regime, which has consistently undermined all efforts to restore democracy and to help the Venezuelan people.

Canadians will not stand by as the Government of Venezuela robs its people of their fundamental democratic and human rights, and denies them access to basic humanitarian assistance.

In response to this move by the Maduro regime, I am announcing that the Venezuelan Ambassador to Canada – who had already been withdrawn by the Venezuelan government to protest Canadian sanctions against Venezuelan officials implicated in corruption and gross human rights abuses – is no longer welcome in Canada. I am also declaring the Venezuelan chargé d’affaires persona non grata.

I would like to especially recognize the exceptional professionalism and dedication of all Canada’s staff working in Venezuela.

We will continue to work with our partners in the region, including through the Lima Group, to apply pressure on the anti-democratic Maduro regime and restore the rights of the Venezuelan people.”