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Venezuela judicial reform and TSJ selection process

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2026-08-14 18:02 UTC → 2026-08-15 09:57 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Efforts to reform the selection process for Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) have gained momentum through proposals from civil society and opposition leaders. The NGO Acceso a la Justicia submitted a proposal to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) seeking an independent election of magistrates. The organization argues that current laws deviate from the 1999 Constitution by transferring candidate preselection from a civil society-led committee to the National Assembly, thereby increasing political influence. They recommended resetting the selection process to the application phase to ensure transparency and restore judicial independence. Following these developments, opposition leaders have called for professional expertise and transparency in the judicial renewal. Delsa Solórzano of Encuentro Ciudadano emphasized that legitimacy depends on connecting the process to the citizenry, while Julio César Moreno proposed that a commission of legal experts, academics, and former magistrates oversee the Nominations Committee to ensure candidates are selected based on merit. As part of a broader Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence, the government has granted alternative liberty measures to 131 individuals previously detained for crimes related to institutional stability and peace. However, the judicial reform process remains a central pillar of the transition. Constitutional lawyers suggest that replacing TSJ leadership is vital for restoring the rule of law and the separation of powers. Delsa Solórzano has warned that replacing top magistrates alone is insufficient, arguing for a deeper restructuring that includes appointing career judges through competitive processes. She noted that success depends on transparency, the release of political prisoners, and the safe return of exiles.

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