Canada is treading on dangerous ground by joining with the United States and some other countries in supporting a rival to Nicolas Maduro as president of Venezuela.

Up to now, Canada has played a constructive role in trying to stop the country’s slide into dictatorship. As part of the Lima Group, an association of 12 countries that has been applying political and economic pressure on the Maduro regime, it has invoked sanctions and other measures to support democracy.

That culminated this month when the group declared it did not recognize the legitimacy of Maduro’s new presidential term.

They were right to do so. The election that brought him back to power was outrageously rigged.

But recognizing the president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, Juan Guaido, as the so-called “interim president” of Venezuela is a step too far.

It’s a risky move for several reasons.

First, it opens the door to a parallel government and even more upheaval in the economically devastated country.

The fact is, Maduro is showing no signs of stepping down despite violent protests across the country and an uprising by members of the national guard that was foiled earlier this week.

Second, it gives cover for Maduro to convince Venezuelans that international support for Guaido is a step toward an outright invasion by the United States, which has a long history of interfering in the affairs of Central and South American countries.

And on that front, President Donald Trump has not helped by saying the U.S. has a “military option” in Venezuela.

Third, Maduro still has the support of military leaders. He may call for a bloody crackdown on legitimate protesters, claiming demonstrations against him are being orchestrated by outsiders.

Finally, recognition of Guaido could set the scene for a proxy war that might draw other countries into the conflict. The U.S. and others, including Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Britain and France, back Guaido, but Maduro has support from the likes of Russia, China, Bolivia and Turkey.

It’s true the situation in Venezuela is desperate. As many as four million people have fled the once-prosperous country as inflation has soared. Maduro’s policies have been disastrous.

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But diplomatic sanctions and efforts were working.

Right now, Venezuela is a powder keg. Canada should have no part in lighting a fuse that could make matters even worse.

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