Venezuela Interim Government and Opposition Reach First Judicial and Financial Accords

Venezuela’s interim government and opposition representatives concluded their first round of reconciliation talks on Wednesday, securing agreements to reform the Supreme Tribunal of Justice and seek access to the nation’s frozen reserves at the Bank of England. The discussions, held in the wake of the US ouster of longtime leader Nicolas Maduro, focused on institutional restructuring and the allocation of assets intended to finance recovery efforts following the devastating twin earthquakes in June.

A joint statement issued by the delegations highlighted commitments to initiate a process for transforming the justice system, including reforms to the Organic Law governing the Supreme Tribunal of Justice. The tribunal previously validated Maduro’s 2024 re-election despite allegations of fraud and the absence of public official results. However, the document notably omitted any reference to the National Electoral Council, another key body the opposition seeks to overhaul after it also upheld Maduro’s disputed victory.

In addition to judicial changes, both sides agreed to work towards the release of Venezuela’s international reserve assets held at the Bank of England. Under Maduro, previous attempts to access these funds were unsuccessful. The joint statement called for the establishment of mechanisms for transparency, traceability, and auditing to ensure the proper use of the released assets, which are critical for addressing the aftermath of the June 24 earthquakes that killed over 6,300 people.

The interim government, led by Delcy Rodriguez, was represented at the talks by her brother, Jorge Rodriguez, who serves as the head of Venezuela’s National Assembly. Delcy Rodriguez, formerly Maduro’s vice president, has led the country with Washington’s blessing and has received praise from US President Donald Trump for acceding to his administration’s desires. The opposition was represented by Dinorah Figuera, leader of the political bloc that won a majority in the 2015 National Assembly, the last legislature elected in a vote widely recognised by the international community.

While exiled opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado was absent from the talks, stating she would not stand in the way of the process, an anonymous opposition source expressed caution. The source compared the interim government to Nicaragua’s administration, which the US considers a dictatorship, and noted that laws regulating terrorism and dissent must be reformed to prevent the persecution of political prisoners. Some commentators believe Trump has vetoed Machado’s return to Venezuela, a claim Washington denies.