Protests have erupted across Venezuela since Maduro began his second term on Jan. 10. He was elected last year in a vote Canada, the U.S. and other nations deemed illegitimate.

Guaido has declared himself interim president. Canada has joined the United States, the European Parliament and several Latin American nations in recognizing Guaido's claim. Russia and China — which have invested heavily in oil-rich Venezuela — support Maduro, as does Turkey.
Notably missing from the Lima Group attendee list is Mexico. Its new left-leaning
president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has taken a stance different from that of his predecessor on Venezuela, going so far as to invite Maduro to his inauguration.
According to the itinerary for the meeting, members of the Lima Group will discuss economic assistance and recovery, as well as the humanitarian and refugee situation.

Guaido addressed the conference via videolink Monday, praising Canada and the Lima Group for their support while asking partner countries to redouble their diplomatic efforts to help loosen Maduro's grip on power.

"We are very close to reaching freedom, and that is the result of the international support we've received and the recognition of this process of respecting the rule of law and having a non-violent approach," Guaido said in Spanish.

"Unfortunately we're still under a dictatorship in Venezuela. That's why it's time to increase pressure."

On Sunday, Trudeau's office said he spoke with Guaido about the need for countries to send a clear message about what the Prime Minister's Office calls "the illegitimacy of the Maduro regime."

Trudeau also brought up the Venezuelan constitution during a town hall in Milton, Ont., on Thursday.
"This all seems very complex and complicated, and it is, but it is all grounded in human rights, the rule of law and Venezuela's own constitution," he said.
"The international community recognized that there were not free and fair elections in Venezuela, and therefore Maduro is not the president of Venezuela in the eyes of the world and also in the eyes of Venezuelans. Article 233 actually provides for what happens when there is no president in Venezuela."

As authority supporting his claim to the presidency, Guaido cites Article 233 of the Venezuelan constitution, which gives temporary presidential power to the head of the National Assembly when the presidency is otherwise vacant.

Setting the expectations

But those looking for significant action following today's talks could be disappointed.

One of Canada's top former diplomats said the public shouldn't expect to see much more than a statement of principles coming out of the emergency meeting.
"I would expect there would be a declaration asking for movement forward, asking for continued respect for human rights and really putting it on the line that this interim president [Juan Guaido], as per the Venezuelan constitution, should be the one to step up and call for elections," said Peter Boehm, a longtime senior diplomat with postings to Cuba, Costa Rica and the Organization of American States.

Trudeau recently appointed Boehm to the Senate.