Venezuelan Government and Opposition Agree to Judicial Reform and Asset Recovery

The interim government of Venezuela and the opposition have agreed to reform the national judicial system and seek the recovery of international reserve assets held in the Bank of England. The agreement followed the first cycle of political dialogues in Caracas, which included five sessions and five plenaries. The delegations were led by Jorge Rodriguez, head of the parliament, and Dinorah Figuera, leader of the opposition bloc from the 2015 National Assembly.

Regarding the judiciary, the parties agreed to transform the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) by renewing the judicial nominations committee and establishing a new process for the appointment of all magistrates. A credentials review council will also be created to ensure candidates meet constitutional and legal requirements. One center right source noted that the opposition had previously accused the government of appointing allied magistrates to maintain control of the court.

Additionally, the parties will work to recover gold reserves valued at 1900 million dollars from the Bank of England. These funds are intended to assist victims of two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, which resulted in at least 6,300 deaths and left approximately 17,900 citizens without homes. The agreement also includes strengthening programs for health, electricity, and housing.

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez welcomed the process as a step toward democratic coexistence. While opposition leader Maria Corina Machado did not participate in the talks from her exile in Panama, a source close to the negotiations stated that the delegation recognizes her leadership. The process is being supported by the United States, which is described as the primary promoter of the dialogues.