By Barry Ellsworth </p> <p>TRENTON, Canada (AA) – Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido made a surprise appearance via video Monday at a summit of countries called to try to find a solution to the chaos in the country. </p> <p>The summit, held in the Canadian capital of Ottawa, brought together the host country, the United States, several European countries and Latin American member countries of the Lima Group. </p> <p>Guaido said the country led by Nicolas Maduro has usurped democracy. </p> <p>“Unfortunately, we are still under a dictatorship in Venezuela at the moment,” he said by video link. “I would like to reaffirm our actions and our co-operation with the Lima Group, along with Canada, and all the countries.” </p> <p>The summit countries agreed to increase pressure on Maduro to step down. </p> <p>Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland announced at a press conference following the summit that Venezuela, led by Guaido as Maduro’s replacement, has been recognized as a full-fledged member of the Lima Group. </p> <p>The countries, including Canada, maintain that Maduro is a dictator who took power through rigged elections last May. Guaido is the head of Venezuela’s legislature. </p> <p>Canada also announced CAN$53 million (US$40.4 million) in aid to Venezuela, a country reeling from political, economic and humanitarian strife with a lack of food, medicine and other services. Rioting in the streets is commonplace as Venezuelans press to have Maduro step down. </p> <p>More than 3 million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2015 in search of food, healthcare and other basic services, Global Affairs Canada said in a statement Monday on its website. </p> <p>The exodus has created a refugee crisis in South America, particularly in neighboring Brazil and Colombia. </p> <p>"This is a pivotal moment for the people of Venezuela – we are observing a widespread rejection of the Maduro regime's illegitimate claim to power following fraudulent elections last May," said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. </p> <p>Freeland did not mince words at the press conference. </p> <p>“Venezuela’s National Assembly and now interim president Guaido have charted a constitutional path forward to establish an interim government,” she said. “We must do everything in our power to assist them in this effort.” </p> <p>Also at the press conference, Peruvian Foreign Minister Nestor Popolizio Bardales said the ongoing demonstrations are “the beginning of the end” for Maduro. </p> <p>The Lima Group includes Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay and Peru. Mexico is also a member but was conspicuously absent from Monday’s summit because it continues to back Maduro, as does Cuba and Bolivia. </p> <p>Freeland ruled out military intervention. But with the summit countries vowing to continue the pressure to have the beleaguered president step aside, the next move is Maduro’s.