Judicial reforms shift terrorism court jurisdiction in Venezuela and self-defense laws in Peru

In Venezuela, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) has issued Resolution 2026-0010, which redistributes the jurisdiction of specialized terrorism courts. The measure removes the national competence of four control courts based in Caracas, assigning investigation and intermediate phase processes to state-level control courts across the country. While the civil association Acceso a la Justicia noted this could alleviate logistical and economic burdens for defendants and families, the organization warned that the resolution does not repeal criminal norms often criticized for their use against political dissent, nor does it affect trial courts or appeals courts.

In Peru, Senator Ruth Luque has addressed legislative requests regarding citizen security, specifically concerning self-defense laws. Luque noted that the previous Congress already implemented changes to the criminal procedural code. Under Law 32026, approved in May 2024, individuals may be exempt from criminal responsibility when using force, including lethal force, in defense of themselves or others. This exemption is subject to specific requirements: the aggression must be current, illegitimate, and real; the means used must be rationally necessary; and there must be no sufficient provocation from the person acting in defense.