DIPLOMACY

Canadian foreign minister cancels visit to Venezuela

Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird was expected to arrive in Venezuela on Wednesday amidst a tour of Latin America countries. However, he canceled his trip without giving further explanations

EL UNIVERSAL

Tuesday February 19, 2013 05:00 PM

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird canceled on Tuesday his visit to Venezuela, scheduled for Wednesday. He said he hoped to meet with the Venezuelan authorities in any other moment that is "mutually convenient."

"We hope to find another mutually convenient time to engage in talks with Venezuela on matters related to economic prosperity and human rights," the minister informed in a communiqué.

Baird would not explain the reasons for cancelling his trip to Caracas.

The announcement came following the return of President Hugo Chávez to Venezuela.

From Peru, the Canadian diplomat on Sunday stressed his country's concerns over Venezuela-Iran strengthening diplomatic and economic ties, and admitted that said links are causing frictions in Canada-Venezuela relations.

Translated by Jhean Cabrera

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