Venezuela’s Interim Government and Opposition Reach Deal on Judicial Reforms and Frozen Funds Following Maduro’s Ouster

Venezuela’s interim government and opposition representatives concluded the first round of negotiations on Wednesday, aiming to reconcile the nation after the U.S. ousting of longtime leader Nicolas Maduro.

A joint statement released by the parties highlighted agreement on two key issues following several days of discussion: judiciary reforms and efforts to access frozen funds for earthquake recovery.

Both sides committed to initiating a process to transform the justice system, including reforms to the Organic Law of Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ). The TSJ previously validated Maduro’s contested 2024 re-election amid serious fraud allegations and no public release of official results.

The agreement did not address reforms to the National Electoral Council, another body the opposition seeks to overhaul due to its role in upholding Maduro’s disputed victory.

In light of the devastating June 24 earthquakes that claimed over 6,300 lives, both sides agreed to pursue access to Venezuela’s international reserves held at the Bank of England. Under Maduro, repeated attempts to access these funds had failed. The joint statement also called for establishing mechanisms for transparency, traceability, and auditing to ensure proper use of the funds.

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez’s government was represented by her brother, Jorge Rodriguez, head of the National Assembly. While Rodriguez was Maduro’s former vice president, she has led the country with U.S. support and earned praise from President Donald Trump for aligning with his administration’s objectives.

The opposition delegation included Dinorah Figuera, leader of the political bloc that secured a majority in the 2015 National Assembly, widely recognized as legitimate by the international community.

Exiled opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado was notably absent, stating she would not obstruct the process.

Thousands of opposition supporters gathered outside the Caracas hotel where talks were held, expressing hope that the negotiations could pave the way for democratic elections.

Opposition representatives met with political prisoners, retirees, and media workers over six days, pledging to advocate for their demands. “We are in this process to achieve a democratic and free Venezuela,” Figuera wrote on X.

An anonymous opposition source compared Rodriguez’s government to Nicaragua’s authoritarian regime, noting the U.S. designation as a dictatorship.

The source emphasized that the opposition is pragmatic, stating, “There is no naivete. They must take advantage of this window of opportunity.” Elections, they believe, will follow reforms enabling a new Electoral Council, with legal changes needed to address laws on terrorism and dissent previously used to persecute political figures.

The source described Machado as “the leader of the Venezuelan opposition… she is the voice Venezuelans identify as their own,” while some commentators suggest Trump has blocked her return to Venezuela, a claim Washington denies.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

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