March 21, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, announced that Canada is imposing new sanctions against Venezuelan officials under the Special Economic Measures (Venezuela) Regulations.

These sanctions target 8 current senior officials of the Venezuelan government who have engaged in activities that directly or indirectly supported human rights violations in Venezuela and/or activities that undermine Venezuela’s democracy.  

These new sanctions align with previous measures taken by Canada and its allies earlier this year. The sanctions add additional pressure on  Nicolás Maduro’s regime to respect the will of the Venezuelan people. They also aim to dissuade the authorities from taking further actions that violate the human rights of protestors, journalists, opposition leaders and other members of civil society.

Canada is listing the following 8 individuals under the regulations:

• Douglas Arnoldo Rico González
• Carlos Enrique Terán Hurtado
• Carlos Alberto Calderon Chirinos
• Florencio Ramón Escalona
• Leonel Alberto García Rivas
• Ronny Fernando González Montesinos
• Manuel Enrique Castillo Rengifo
• Jose Ramon Figuera Valdez

Canada remains deeply concerned by the Maduro regime’s destabilizing actions and the threat that they pose to Venezuelans and the region. Canada is unwavering in its commitment to human rights, the rule of law and democracy in Venezuela and across the region.