The Government of Venezuela and the parallel opposition Parliament established in 2015 have reached an agreement this Wednesday to initiate a "process" aimed at the "transformation" of the country's judicial system and to promote the recovery of "international reserve assets" currently deposited in the Bank of England.
The understanding has occurred at the end of their first work cycle within the political dialogue process, initiated after the announcement, in mid-July, of a joint roadmap for national reconstruction following the double earthquake that has caused more than 6,300 fatalities.
In the judicial field, and according to a document disseminated on social networks by the Venezuelan National Assembly, the delegations have decided to open a process aimed at favoring the "transformation of the Justice system" of the country.
With this objective, they have committed to "renew and expand the committee for judicial nominations," activate a "new nomination process" for the renewal and appointment of all the magistrates of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ), and create a council responsible for reviewing credentials and requirements of the candidates for the TSJ, ensuring respect for the Constitution, current legislation, and the evaluation criteria.
At the same time, the parties have resolved to concentrate their efforts on "promoting the recovery of the international reserve assets" of the country held in the Bank of England, "establishing mechanisms of transparency, traceability, and auditing in the efficient use of the same, to guarantee the well-being of all those affected."
This commitment, with which they intend to "continue responding to the victims" of the powerful earthquakes recorded on June 24, adds to the agreement to "work on strengthening housing, electricity, health, and debris collection assistance programs."
During this first cycle, two technical tables have been established: one focused on managing the emergency caused by the double earthquake and another aimed at reinforcing democracy, the Judiciary, and the Electoral Power. In this framework, five working meetings of the tables and five plenary sessions between both delegations have been held.
The representation of the central Executive is headed by the president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Jorge Rodríguez, while the delegation of the National Assembly of 2015 is led by Dinorah Figuera, who replaced Juan Guaidó at the head of the opposition Parliament.
Regarding the schedule for the implementation of the commitments, Rodríguez and Figuera have agreed that it will begin this August "with official announcements and concrete actions, under a mechanism of continuous work that ensures the strict compliance of each commitment."
On this point, the acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, has spoken out, applauding this "first step" in the dialogue process and expressing her confidence that it "will contribute to building a path for better democratic coexistence" among the different political forces.
Next, the occupant of Miraflores has urged that "all political forces join this dialogue, always putting the well-being, peace, stability, and development of Venezuela first."