Venezuelan social and economic reform demands

Labor groups and political organizations in Venezuela have called for urgent social and economic reforms to be addressed during national dialogue processes. In late July, trade unions and the Social Christian Party (COPEI) in Táchira highlighted extreme economic precarity, noting that pensions had fallen to approximately 0.16 USD. COPEI described the current purchasing power of citizens as “fatal” and urged negotiators to prioritize wage increases and social assistance.

By August, the Human Rights Committee for the Defense of Pensioners, Retirees and Older Adults formally requested inclusion in the national dialogue for democratic transition. The committee reported systematic violations of the rights of older adults, citing a massive loss in the real value of income since 2013 and the suspension of payments for many elderly citizens living abroad. They proposed that any legal changes resulting from the transition process prioritize social security laws and suggested using oil revenues to increase pension payments.

In August 2026, the Committee for the Defense of Pensioners, Retirees, and Older Adults formally petitioned Dinorah Figuera, president of the 2015 National Assembly, to include the critical situation of seniors in the national dialogue. The group submitted a report detailing systematic human rights violations, noting that monthly pensions have plummeted to approximately 0.17 USD. This decline has reportedly led to malnutrition and a lack of medical access among the elderly population. The committee continues to seek the reinstatement of payments for pensioners residing abroad.