2015 National Assembly delegation arrives in Venezuela to negotiate judicial reform

The delegation aims to formally join the activities of the second round of dialogue, a process promoted by the US administration in coordination with the government of Delcy Rodríguez.

The restructuring of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) is shaping up as the central point of this round of talks. According to exclusive statements made by the president of the 2015 National Assembly, Dinorah Figuera, to journalist David Placer, the discussions will focus on defining the procedures for the call for and selection of justices, in keeping with the deadlines and rules set out in the organic law governing the country's highest court.

Besides reform of the judicial system, the negotiating agenda includes discussion of guarantees for the exercise of civil and political rights, the protection of journalistic work and the restoration of freedom of expression. Deputy Jorge Millán explained that the priority of the opposition representation is to build a solid framework of guarantees that would allow elections to be called in the shortest possible time.

As part of its agenda in Caracas, the parliamentary delegation plans to open spaces for direct consultation with various sectors of Venezuelan civil society. Figuera detailed that working meetings will be held with groups of retirees and pensioners, relatives of people detained for political reasons and representatives of the Catholic Church, with the aim of incorporating their demands into the dialogue process.

The progress of these working groups will determine whether it is possible to reach definitive institutional agreements that bring political stability to the country. The delegation has extended a public invitation to social organizations to join the activities scheduled during its stay.