Canada is a country that is often described as a “quiet power” in international relations, distinguished by its cautious and diplomatic rhetoric. This characteristic is also clearly evident in its relations with Latin America. Although the United States (US) stands out as the primary external actor in Latin America, Canada has deepened its relations with the region in political, economic, and humanitarian areas. Canada’s relations with Latin America are developing on a multifaceted basis, ranging from trade partnerships to development cooperation, human rights advocacy, and migration policies. This situation demonstrates that Ottawa views the region not only as an economic market but also as a geopolitical and normative arena.
Canada’s most prominent area of interaction with Latin America is undoubtedly trade. Canada has signed various free trade agreements with Latin American countries, particularly since the 1990s. The Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement, signed in 1997, was Ottawa’s first bilateral free trade agreement in the region.[1] This was followed by agreements with countries such as Colombia (2011), Panama (2013), and Peru (2009).[2] Canada’s choice of Chile as its first free trade partner in Latin America is based on a number of rational reasons, including institutional stability, economic openness, political harmony, and strategic location. Chile has been considered a safe and exemplary “starting point” for Canada’s expansion into the region, and this cooperation has gradually spread to other Latin American countries. Today, the Chile-Canada relationship continues to serve as one of the cornerstones of the multifaceted connections established with the region.
Thanks to these agreements, Canada has become a strong investor in the region’s mining, energy, agriculture, and telecommunications sectors. In particular, Canadian-based mining companies are carrying out large-scale projects in Latin American countries rich in natural resources (e.g., Peru, Mexico, Brazil). However, these activities have been criticized in some cases due to their environmental and social impacts. The Canadian government, on the other hand, states that it promotes the principle of “responsible mining” and ensures that its companies comply with local regulations.[3]
Canada conducts its relations with Latin America not only on a bilateral basis but also through multilateral structures. The Organization of American States (OAS), of which Canada became a full member in 1990, is of central importance in this regard. Within the OAS platform, Canada is a strong advocate for universal values such as democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. In particular, during the early 2000s, Canada took active positions within the OAS in response to democratic setbacks in countries like Haiti, Honduras, and Venezuela.
In addition, Canada has close ties with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Development aid to Caribbean countries, post-natural disaster support programs, and educational scholarships are among the tools that reinforce Canada’s “soft power” in the region. In its relations with Latin America, development, diplomacy, and humanitarian aid take precedence over military or interventionist tools.
Perhaps one of the least known but most effective aspects of Canada’s relations with Latin America is development aid. The main focus areas of this support, which is provided through Global Affairs Canada, are gender equality, access to education, democratic governance, combating climate change, and peacebuilding. Canada, for example, has provided financial and technical support for the peace process in Colombia and contributed to anti-corruption and transparent governance projects in countries such as El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
In response to the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, Canada has been providing assistance to both Venezuelan migrants and neighboring countries since 2017. Between 2020 and 2024, Canada will provide approximately C$100 million in humanitarian assistance to countries such as Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador for Venezuelan migrants.[4] This assistance covers a wide range of areas, from healthcare to education projects.
Although Canada is not always a destination country for migrants from Latin America, it is an important resettlement point. It has opened its doors to refugees from countries such as Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Haiti, granting them long-term protection status. Canada’s immigration policy emphasizes that instability in the region is not only a humanitarian issue but also a matter of global responsibility.
Although Canada appears to have generally adopted a policy of neutrality in Latin American political crises, it has taken a clearer stance in some cases. For example, it has openly criticized the Maduro government in Venezuela under the umbrella of the Lima Group, stating that the elections did not meet democratic standards.[5] However, this stance is not directly interventionist; rather, it has taken the form of seeking solutions through diplomatic pressure and multilateral mechanisms. In this context, Canada’s foreign policy can be seen as an approach that combines principled diplomacy with pragmatic cooperation, prioritizing both regional stability and universal values.
Another prominent issue in Canada’s relations with Latin America in recent years has been the fight against climate change and environmental sustainability. Canada is engaged in technical cooperation with countries such as Brazil and Peru to combat deforestation in the Amazon basin; it also provides funding and knowledge sharing for carbon emission reduction and renewable energy investments. In this context, Canada is pursuing a foreign policy that takes into account not only its own interests but also its global environmental responsibilities. Furthermore, Canada’s financial contributions to civil society organizations supporting the environmental rights of indigenous communities in Latin America demonstrate its vision that sustainable development must be supported not only at the intergovernmental level but also at the societal level.
Canada’s relations with Latin America are shaped not by loud and harsh statements, but by balanced, multifaceted, and constructive diplomacy. These relations, built on trade, development aid, humanitarian support, and normative values, demonstrate that Canada is a “quiet but effective” actor in Latin America. Considering that the region will need more cooperation in areas such as climate change, democratic transformation, and migration crises in the future, Canada’s role in Latin America may become even more important. In particular, its engagement in multilateral institutional structures and its civil society-centered approach make Canada a reliable partner in the region. In this context, Ottawa’s Latin America strategy is based not on a quiet engagement but on a vision of sustainable partnership.
[1] “Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement”, Global Affairs Canada,
www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/chile-chili/index.aspx?lang=eng, (Accessed Date: 06.08.2025).
[2] “Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.” Global Affairs Canada,
https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/colombia-colombie/fta-ale/index.aspx?lang=eng, (Accessed Date: 06.08.2025); “Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement.” Global Affairs Canada, https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/panama/fta-ale/index.aspx?lang=eng, (Accessed Date: 06.08.2025); “Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement.”Global Affairs Canada, https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/peru-perou/fta-ale/index.aspx?lang=eng, (Accessed Date: 06.08.2025).
[3] Natural Resources Canada. Responsible Mining. Government of Canada, https://natural-resources.canada.ca/minerals-mining/responsible-mining, (Accessed Date: 06.08.2025).
[4] “Canada’s Response to the Venezuela Crisis”, Global Affairs Canada, www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/response_conflict-reponse_conflits/crisis-crises/venezuela.aspx?lang=eng, (Accessed Date: 06.08.2025).
[5] Global Affairs Canada. “Statement from the Lima Group.” Government of Canada, https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/international_relations-relations_internationales/latin_america-amerique_latine/2021-01-05-lima_group-groupe_lima.aspx?lang=eng, (Accessed Date: 06.08.2025).
