# Venezuela judicial reforms and opposition transition talks > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/venezuelan-union-push-for-free-elections > Updated: 2026-09-10T04:33:46.000Z. Sources: 251. Developments: 27. Following the removal of Nicolás Maduro and the installation of an interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s political landscape is undergoing significant institutional shifts. While the National Assembly has advanced reforms to the Organic Law of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ), the opposition remains fragmented over strategy and relationships with the United States. Negotiations facilitated by the U.S. between August 6 and 12 involved leaders from Primero Justicia and Voluntad Popular, though prominent figures María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia were not participants. While these talks helped establish consensus on the comprehensive restructuring of the TSJ and the recovery of state assets abroad to aid earthquake-affected communities, no agreement has been reached regarding the National Electoral Council (CNE) or election scheduling. The opposition continues to contest the 2024 election results. A second phase of the dialogue table between the government and representatives of the 2015 National Assembly is scheduled to begin on September 15. Led by Dinorah Figuera, the opposition delegation intends to establish a specialized table focused on political, civil, and expression liberties. This upcoming round aims to review controversial legislation to align it with international human rights standards, including the Law Against Hate, laws regarding NGO control, anti-terrorism legislation, and the Simón Bolívar law. Figuera has addressed calls for immediate elections, noting that the dialogue process with the Chavismo movement, which began on August 1, is complex and requires time to establish necessary guarantees. Meanwhile, Voluntad Popular in Yaracuy has expressed support for the 2015 National Assembly’s working group, calling for the return of exiled figures and the release of political prisoners as part of the transition toward restoring the separation of powers. ## Claims - The 24 June 2026 earthquakes in Venezuela caused over 5,500 deaths, at least 16,740 injuries and left nearly 18,000 people homeless. (disputed by 18 sources) - The 24 June double earthquake in Venezuela caused more than 6,000 deaths and extensive damage. (disputed by 15 sources) - Jorge Rodríguez is the chief negotiator for the chavismo and president of the Parliament. (corroborated by 37 sources) - The first in‑person meeting took place at La Carlota air base. (corroborated by 36 sources) - The first dialogue cycle will run in permanent session until 12 August 2026. (corroborated by 34 sources) - María Corina Machado will not take part in the talks. (corroborated by 29 sources) - The United States supports the dialogue process but is not a negotiating party. (corroborated by 29 sources) - Venezuela’s government and part of the opposition plan to launch US‑backed political dialogue. (corroborated by 28 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-10: Venezuela: Dinorah Figuera addresses calls for immediate elections Dinorah Figuera of the 2015 National Assembly stated that political dialogues in Venezuela require time, while Voluntad Popular expressed support for legislative efforts toward democratic transition. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-dinorah-figuera-addresses-calls-for-immediate-elections ### 2026-09-10: Venezuela opposition prepares second round of political negotiations The Venezuelan opposition and government will begin a second round of negotiations on September 15, focusing on civil liberties and the reform of restrictive laws such as the Law Against Hate. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-opposition-prepares-second-round-of-political-negotiations ### 2026-09-08: Venezuela: Calls for judicial reform and autonomy grow Venezuelan political figures are calling for judicial reform and autonomy, amid criticisms of human rights abuses and calls for transparent selection processes for the nation's judiciary. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-calls-for-judicial-reform-and-autonomy-grow ### 2026-09-05: Venezuela media representatives meet with National Assembly over press freedom Media organizations and press freedom advocates met with Venezuela's 2015 National Assembly to demand that freedom of expression be a priority in upcoming political negotiations. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-media-representatives-meet-with-national-assembly-over-press-freedom ### 2026-09-01: Venezuela dialogue table set to resume second phase in September Venezuela's government and the 2015 National Assembly aim to resume dialogue on September 15, focusing on civil guarantees and TSJ restructuring amid calls for public scrutiny of the political transition. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-dialogue-table-set-to-resume-second-phase-in-september ### 2026-08-31: Venezuelan opposition seeks democratic transition amid fragmentation The Venezuelan opposition seeks a democratic transition through free elections but remains fragmented despite recent US-facilitated negotiations involving figures like Dinorah Figuera. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelan-opposition-seeks-democratic-transition-amid-fragmentation ### 2026-08-27: Venezuela National Assembly advances judicial reforms and political dialogue Venezuela's National Assembly is advancing judicial reforms and domestic-only political dialogues, while NGOs warn of an 'authoritarian technocracy' and demand greater transparency in negotiations. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jorge-rodrguez-offers-dialogue-to-venezuelan-opposition ### 2026-08-25: Venezuelan opposition parties expand regional organizational efforts Venezuelan opposition parties Primero Justicia and Acción Democrática are strengthening regional structures and launching citizen consultation initiatives to address public services and political dialogue. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelan-opposition-parties-expand-regional-organizational-efforts ### 2026-08-22: Political activity intensifies in Venezuela with new headquarters and protest calls Vente Venezuela opened a new headquarters in San Cristóbal, while activists in Caracas have called for a march on August 24 to demand the release of all political prisoners. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/political-activity-intensifies-in-venezuela-with-new-headquarters-and-protest-calls ### 2026-08-22: Venezuela opposition leaders demand presidential elections Venezuelan opposition leaders Andrés Velásquez and Lester Toledo are demanding a transition to free presidential elections and institutional reforms to restore political legitimacy and stability. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-opposition-leaders-demand-presidential-elections ### 2026-08-14: Venezuela enters political transition and dialogue phase Venezuela faces a complex political transition following the removal of Nicolás Maduro. Recent dialogue agreements include the total renewal of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-enters-political-transition-and-dialogue-phase ### 2026-08-12: Venezuela political dialogue concludes first cycle with judicial reform and asset recovery agreements Venezuela's government and the 2015 National Assembly concluded their first round of political talks, agreeing to reform the Supreme Tribunal of Justice and recover gold reserves in the UK for earthquake relief 88 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/clippve-demands-release-of-19-colombian-detainees-in-venezuela-after-earthquake ### 2026-08-09: Venezuela: New political dialogue begins in Caracas New political negotiations are underway in Caracas between the Venezuelan government and opposition factions to address the national crisis, amid calls for democratic reforms and social protests. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-political-factions-begin-transition-talks-in-caracas ### 2026-08-06: Venezuela political dialogue begins between government and opposition Government and 2015-elected National Assembly representatives in Venezuela have begun a dialogue cycle to discuss democratic transition, institutional reform, and electoral reconstruction, supported by the U.S. 69 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-backs-venezuela-oppositiongovernment-dialogue ### 2026-08-02: Venezuela launches US‑backed political dialogue amid earthquake recovery Venezuela’s interim government and a U.S.-backed opposition faction begin a dialogue in Caracas, focusing on earthquake aid, democratic reforms and political rights, with U.S. support and a prison‑based message 98 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-government-and-opposition-launch-us-backed-dialogue ### 2026-07-31: Venezuela sets first in‑person dialogue meeting between government and opposition Venezuela’s government and opposition, led by Jorge Rodríguez and Dinorah Figuera, agreed on 1 Aug 2026 to meet in Caracas next week to discuss earthquake aid, democracy and political rights, with US support. 37 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-sets-date-for-first-oppositiongovernment-dialogue-later-postponed ### 2026-07-26: Venezuela opposition leaders Machado and González reject participation in US‑backed dialogue Opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia said they were excluded from the US‑backed Venezuela dialogue starting 1 Aug 2026, but will not block any progress and will judge it on ver‑​ 58 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelan-opposition-leaders-machado-and-gonzlez-reject-participation-in-dialogue-mechanism ### 2026-07-20: Venezuelan opposition leader Pérez Vivas files suit to declare Maduro absent and order elections César Pérez Vivas and allies lodged a popular action with Venezuela’s Supreme Court, urging the Constitutional Chamber to deem Nicolás Maduro’s presidency vacant and order elections within 30 days. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelan-opposition-leader-prez-vivas-files-suit-to-declare-maduro-absent-and-order-elections ### 2026-07-18: Venezuelan party Fuerza Vecinal backs talks between 2015 and 2025 National Assemblies Venezuelan party Fuerza Vecinal backs a new dialogue between the 2015 and 2025 National Assemblies, focusing on economic, reconstruction and institutional reforms. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelan-party-fuerza-vecinal-backs-talks-between-2015-and-2025-national-assemblies ### 2026-07-17: Venezuelan Opposition Leaders Discuss Dialogue Process Ahead of August 1 Venezuelan opposition leaders Machado, González Urrutia and PUD assess a dialogue set for Aug 1, while AD chief Ramos Allup insists Machado’s inclusion and broader opposition representation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelan-opposition-leaders-discuss-dialogue-process-ahead-of-august-1 ### 2026-07-14: Venezuelan Opposition Leaders Call for Elections and Review 2015 Assembly Agenda Venezuelan opposition leaders Machado and González met with the Platform Unitaria Democrática to discuss the 2015 Assembly agenda and called for free elections to aid post‑earthquake reconstruction. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelan-opposition-leaders-call-for-elections-and-review-2015-assembly-agenda ### 2026-06-23: Venezuelan opposition leaders decry political repression and urge early presidential election Former prisoner Jesús Alemán described torture and over 500 detainees remaining, while ex‑governor César Pérez Vivas warned regional elections are a chimera and urged an early presidential vote, highlighting V. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelan-opposition-leaders-decry-political-repression-and-urge-early-presidential-election ### 2026-06-17: Venezuela postpones presidential elections to 2028 amid US‑linked economic reforms Venezuela is expected to delay presidential elections until 2028, awaiting a U.S.-backed economic reform program overseen by the IMF to avoid social unrest and fiscal instability. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-postpones-presidential-elections-to-2028-amid-uslinked-economic-reforms ### 2026-06-10: Venezuelan civil society pushes for early presidential elections amid regime delay Venezuelan civil society leaders and unions called for immediate presidential elections, demanding CNE resignations and linking foreign investment to democratic reforms. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelan-civil-society-pushes-for-early-presidential-elections-amid-regime-delay ### 2026-06-09: Venezuelan unions demand CNE board resignations and a timetable for presidential elections Venezuelan unions on 9 June protested outside the CNE, demanding the resignation of its rectors and a clear election timetable before the July 3 interim deadline for Delcy Rodríguez. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelan-unions-demand-cne-board-resignations-and-a-timetable-for-presidential-elections ### 2026-06-08: Venezuelan unions and students pressure authorities for new election timetable Venezuelan unions demand the CNE’s resignation and an election timetable as the interim period ends, while UCV students protest the postponement of their university elections from June 26 to July 10. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelan-unions-and-students-pressure-authorities-for-new-election-timetable ### 2026-05-21: Venezuelan unions call June 3 national protest for free elections Venezuelan unions scheduled a June 3 national protest and cacerolazo demanding free elections, political prisoners' release, and basic services, with a follow‑up rally on June 9 for wage hikes. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelan-unions-call-june-3-national-protest-for-free-elections --- Cite as: Venezuela judicial reforms and opposition transition talks. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/venezuelan-union-push-for-free-elections