Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has emphasized the sovereign right of the Venezuelan people to determine their own future, following a significant conversation with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. The discussion, which took place on Sunday, January 4, 2026, centered on the extraordinary events unfolding in the South American nation after the capture of its president.
A Call for a Venezuelan-Led Solution
In a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, Carney conveyed that his government supports "a peaceful, Venezuelan-led transition of power." The call with Machado occurred during a weekend of dramatic developments, where United States forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and extradited him to New York to face drug-related indictments.
Following the operation, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States would oversee the nation until a transfer of power was completed. In contrast, Prime Minister Carney's communication stressed a fundamentally different approach, rooted in respect for national autonomy.
Condemning the Maduro Regime
During their conversation, both Carney and Machado condemned the government of Nicolas Maduro, labeling it as "brutally oppressive, criminal, and illegitimate." They agreed on the critical need to seize the current moment to advance goals of freedom, democracy, and prosperity for Venezuela.
Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been operating from hiding within Venezuela. She has long urged the international community to hold Maduro accountable for human rights abuses and electoral interference, which she argues blocked her and her allies from rightfully assuming power in the oil-rich country.
Diverging Views on the Path Forward
The push for a sovereign, negotiated transition faces complications. President Trump publicly dismissed the notion of collaborating with Maria Corina Machado on Venezuela's political future, claiming she lacks sufficient support and respect. For the time being, Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro's vice president, is serving as the country's acting president.
Despite this, Prime Minister Carney reaffirmed Canada's position. "Prime Minister Carney affirmed Canada's steadfast support for a peaceful, negotiated, and Venezuelan-led transition process that promotes stability and respects the democratic will of the Venezuelan people," the official statement read. He underscored that Venezuelans possess the inherent right to construct their future society without external imposition.
The situation remains fluid, with Canada positioning itself as an advocate for a resolution that originates from within Venezuela, even as other global powers pursue more direct interventions.
