OTTAWA - Canada temporarily suspended operations at its embassy in Venezuela, "effective immediately," according to a statement from Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland on Sunday.

Freeland said Canada will still provide consular assistance to Canadians in Venezuela through its embassy in Colombia.

Canada will also be "evaluating the status" of Venezuelan diplomats to Canada appointed by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, added the Canadian minister.

For several months, Canada has advised Canadians to avoid all travel to Venezuela.