The Trudeau government has imposed targeted sanctions on 52 individuals in several countries – including Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

It’s the first use of the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act –  the so-called Magnitsky law.

It is linked to the Russian whistleblower, Sergei Magnitsky – who died in a Moscow prison in 2009 – after accusing officials of a 230-million-dollar tax fraud.

The first sanctions under that act are aimed at 30 individuals tied to Russia – 19 Venezuelan officials, including Maduro – and three individuals from South Sudan.