OTTAWA—The Canadian government took steps Monday to apply further pressure on Venezuela by announcing it won’t seek to replace its ambassador in Caracas following a presidential election that has attracted widespread international condemnation. ( Fernando Llano / The Associated Press )Freeland said that in response, Canada would “downgrade” its diplomatic ties with the South American country, effective immediately. Meanwhile, Venezuela’s fragmented opposition vowed to unify and push for a new presidential election in the last trimester of 2018. That makes his victory the biggest percentage-win over other candidates since Venezuela’s 1958 election after the overthrow of dictator Marcos Perez Jimenez. Freeland responded by saying the Venezuelan ambassador to Canada, who had already been withdrawn by the Venezuelan government, was no longer welcome in Canada.

Source: thestar May 21, 2018 22:18 UTC