Venezuela's top court eliminates four special terrorism tribunals

The Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) eliminated four control courts with jurisdiction over terrorism cases and centralized the cases in Caracas, according to a report published this Thursday, October 16, by the outlet El Estímulo. The measure directly affects the 30th, 49th, 52nd and 13th First Instance Control Courts of the Criminal Judicial Circuit of the Metropolitan Area of Venezuela.

According to the resolution released by the TSJ, the restructuring provides that cases currently in the investigation phase will be subject to transitional rules. Judges whose courts were eliminated will temporarily retain their powers to complete urgent procedures within a maximum of 15 business days.

For their part, files sent to ordinary criminal courts will be taken over directly by the new judges, who will maintain the precautionary measures previously imposed. However, legal experts consulted by the outlet warn that cases in the trial phase and the specialized Courts of Appeals will continue to operate under the same structure in Caracas.

This procedural change reorganizes the distribution of files linked to terrorism offenses in the country, shifting most of the caseload to the capital and altering judicial oversight of open cases in the various jurisdictions.