Argentina said on Wednesday it would withdraw from the “Lima Group” of Latin American nations, blasting the regional bloc’s policy of isolating Venezuela under President Nicolas Maduro and noting it has “led to nothing.” The Lima Group was established by 12 Latin American nations in the Peruvian capital in 2017, with the goal of helping to restore democracy in Venezuela` through a “peaceful and negotiated solution.” By Jorge Otaola, Dave Sherwood. Full Text -> Reuters

The Lima Group of American countries on Tuesday rejected Venezuela’s plans to hold parliamentary elections on December 6, saying the poll lacked “the most minimal democratic guarantees.” The elections will not allow for “the participation of all political forces,” according to the statement, which called for “free, fair and credible presidential and parliamentary elections” in the country. Full Text-> DPIInternational

The countries of the Lima Group, the International Contact Group, the European Union, the United States and other adherent nations on Friday issued a joint declaration in support of the democratic transition in Venezuela. Full Text-> Andina

We, a group of concerned countries including members of the Lima Group, the International Contact Group, the European Union, the United States, and others, call upon all Venezuelans, of all ideological tendencies and party affiliations, whether civilian or military, to put the interests of Venezuela above politics and engage urgently in support of a process shaped and driven by Venezuelans to establish an inclusive transitional government that will lead the country into free and fair presidential elections, sooner not later. National Assembly elections alone do not present a political solution and instead may further polarize an already divided society. Full Text -> Global Public Affairs DoS

The Lima Group regional bloc said on Thursday it “appreciated” a new U.S. plan to begin lifting sanctions on Venezuela if the opposition and members of President Nicolas Maduro’s party form an interim government without him. By Marco Aquino. Full text-> National Post

The statement says the group is united in commitment to the return of democracy in Venezuela.  They say the process must include “an independent National Electoral Council, an unbiased Supreme Court, international support and observation, full press freedom and political participation of all Venezuelans.” Full text _> WDIO

Canada and its Western Hemisphere allies ended their latest summit on Thursday by calling on the rest of the democratic world to join them in inspiring downtrodden Venezuelans to peacefully replace their dictator. By The Canadian Press. Full text-> Philippine Canadian Inquirer

“The only way to return democracy to Venezuela and overcome the crisis is to ensure that there are presidential and parliamentary elections that are free, fair and transparent and inclusive.”By Mike Blanchfield. Full text-> CTVNews

Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne is hosting the Lima Group in Gatineau, Que. today. The group is a coalition of regional countries, minus the United States. The meeting comes amid a renewed push for a new presidential election in Venezuela, one aimed at ousting the country’s dictator president, Nicolas Maduro. By Mike Blanchfield. Full text -> National Post

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Tune in live on Thursday, February 20th at 10AM (EST) as Canada hosts the upcoming #LimaGroup meeting in Gatineau to discuss the crisis in #Venezuela-> watch press conference