OTTAWA — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney joined European leaders in urging a swift and peaceful transition of power in Venezuela, following a military operation carried out by U.S. special forces that captured Nicolás Maduro and President Donald Trump’s subsequent announcement that the U.S. would “run” Venezuela in the interim.

“Canada has not recognised the illegitimate regime of Maduro since it stole the 2018 election. The Canadian government therefore welcomes the opportunity for freedom, democracy, peace, and prosperity for the Venezuelan people,” Carney posted on social media more than 12 hours after news broke of Maduro’s capture.

The Canadian PM dismissed Maduro’s government as a “brutally oppressive and criminal regime” responsible for “grave breaches of international peace and security, gross and systematic human rights violations, and corruption.”

He called for a “peaceful, negotiated, and Venezuelan-led transition process that respects the democratic will of the Venezuelan people.” He also said Canada calls “on all parties to respect international law” and that the country “attaches great importance to resolution of crises through multilateral engagement.”

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand posted a similar, shorter statement earlier Saturday.

Carney and Anand’s statements didn’t mention Trump by name, nor the American operation that secured custody of Maduro.

Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative opposition, lauded the president’s role in Maduro’s capture — and expressed a clear preference for the next Venezuelan leader.

“Congratulations to President Trump on successfully arresting narco-terrorist and socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro, who should live out his days in prison,” Poilievre posted on social media on Saturday morning.

“The legitimate winner of the most recent Venezuelan elections, Edmundo González, should take office along with the courageous hero and voice of the Venezuelan people, María Corina Machado,” he continued.