Venezuela, Ex-Lawmakers Agree on Judicial Reform Roadmap
Venezuela's government and former opposition lawmakers agree to reform the judicial system and recover Bank of England reserves for earthquake victims.
Delegations from Venezuela's National Assembly and a group of former opposition lawmakers have concluded their first round of formal talks with two key agreements, including a plan to overhaul the country's judicial system.
The talks, which followed five closed-door sessions, produced a joint statement outlining a reform process focused on the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ). The proposed changes include amending the Organic Law of the Supreme Court and other related statutes, expanding the Judicial Nominations Committee, and launching a fresh nomination process for all Supreme Court justices. A council would also be established to vet candidates' credentials and prevent irregularities in appointments.
The agreement comes after years of accusations from opponents of the late President Hugo Chávez and his successor, Nicolás Maduro, that the ruling party has stacked the Supreme Court with allies. Critics say the court has issued numerous rulings against government opponents over the past 27 years. The ruling party has maintained that all judicial appointments were made in strict compliance with the law.
The first meeting between the delegations took place nearly seven weeks after a Caracas gathering between National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez and former lawmaker Dinorah Figuera, who had returned to the country after nearly eight years in exile. Washington was a key driver behind the talks, which aimed to strengthen democracy and restore fundamental rights after nearly three decades of socialist governance.
In a separate agreement, both parties pledged to work toward recovering Venezuela's international reserve assets held at the Bank of England. The funds are intended to support victims of two powerful earthquakes that struck the country on June 24, which killed at least 6,300 people and left around 17,900 homeless after 190 buildings collapsed. The recovery effort will focus on housing, electricity, health, and debris removal, with mechanisms for transparency and auditing to ensure efficient use of resources.