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OTTAWA — Canada’s largest union is lining up behind Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro even as Canada, the United States and other allies recognize his rival, Juan Guaidó, as the country’s president.

“The Canadian government was one of the first governments in the world to declare support for Juan Guaidó. In doing so, they have chosen to side with a self-declared leader over President Nicolas Maduro, who was duly elected by the people of Venezuela,” the Canadian Union of Public Employees said in a recent statement. “They have also chosen to side with Donald Trump and U.S. foreign policy.”

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CUPE, which represents nearly 700,000 workers in transport, health and other sectors, “rejects any attempt by the Canadian government to interfere with the democratic processes and sovereignty of the Venezuelan people,” the statement says, accusing Guaidó of conducting a U.S.-supported “coup d’état.”