Canada sanctions 40 Venezuelans with links to political, economic crisis

Canada is sanctioning 40 senior Venezuelan government officials and individuals, including President Nicolas Maduro, who it says are playing a key role in the political and economic crisis in the South American country. In addition to Mr. Maduro, the Canadian sanctions target members of his cabinet and officials from Venezuela's military, Supreme Court and National Electoral Council. Canada did not have any Venezuelans on its sanctions list until Friday's announcement. In an interview with The Globe and Mail, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said the sanctions are meant to put pressure on the Maduro regime to restore constitutional order and respect the democratic rights of the Venezuelan people. Canada's sanctions closely resemble those already put in place by the United States, which has sanctioned 46 Venezuelans. More…