[REVISION HISTORY]

Venezuela judicial reform and TSJ selection process

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2026-10-10 23:21 UTC → 2026-10-11 22:05 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Following the unanimous approval of the partial reform to the Organic Law of the TSJ by the National Assembly in late August, the reform was officially published in Official Gazette No. 7.074 Extraordinary on September 15, 2026. Alí Daniels, director of Acceso a la Justicia, noted that this publication occurred four days after the constitutional 10-day deadline for promulgation had expired. The reform modifies Article 65 to restructure the Judicial Nominations Committee into a 23-member body, comprising 12 civil society representatives and 11 parliamentary deputies. The selection of these members now requires approval from a two-thirds plenary of the National Assembly. This legal change initiates the constitutional process for designating all principal and substitute TSJ magistrates, as well as authorities of auxiliary bodies. The new composition has sparked significant debate among legal experts. While the reform provides a nominal numerical majority to civil society, critics argue it may not ensure judicial independence. Lawyer Rafael Narváez contended that the inclusion of deputies undermines the committee, as members of a public power branch cannot represent civil society. Additionally, specialists have raised concerns that political influence may persist because the preliminary filter remains controlled by a commission of 11 deputies. On September 25, 2026, as part of the second cycle of political dialogues, the Venezuelan caretaker government and the 2015 National Assembly delegation agreed to form the Council of Review of Credentials and Requirements for Candidates to the TSJ. By October 10, 2026, the National Assembly released a list of 127 citizens who applied to join the Judicial Nominations Committee to evaluate and preselect candidates for the 32 TSJ magistracy positions. Notable applicants include academics and human rights figures such as Guillermo Tell Aveledo Coll, Carlos Trapani, and Julio César Fernández.

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