Venezuela to launch national consultation on criminal‑justice reform on June 1

Venezuelan authorities announced that a Grand National Consultation will begin on 1 June to develop a roadmap for reforming the country’s criminal‑justice system. Attorney General Larry Devoe said the process will bring together judges, prosecutors, universities, campesino groups, NGOs and other stakeholders to create a shared diagnosis and set priorities.

The consultation will include two institutional audits: a technical review of court infrastructure and a thorough assessment of recruitment and entry procedures for justice personnel. The initiative is presented as a structural, transformative step to address case backlogs, corruption and other critical challenges in the judicial system.

The drive is part of broader political stabilization efforts, linked to the implementation of the Amnesty and Democratic Co‑existence Law, which has already led to more than 885 releases and an additional 395 recent excarcelations, with officials aiming to exceed 500 releases in the coming hours. The executive, represented by acting President Delcy Rodríguez, coordinated the effort with the Judicial Revolution Commission, the Ministry of Interior, Justice and Peace, the National Assembly and the Ministry of Popular Power for Relations.

The consultation will travel to each state, allowing public participation and aiming to ensure that all voices are heard in reshaping Venezuela’s penal system.