Venezuela Expands Supreme Court to 32 Magistrates Amid Political Tensions
On May 12, 2026, Venezuela's National Assembly unanimously approved a reform increasing the number of Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) magistrates from 20 to 32. The legislation, sent to Acting President Delcy Rodríguez for promulgation, expands the Constitutional Chamber from five to seven members and increases the other five chambers from three to five members each. This move mirrors a 2004 restructuring by Hugo Chávez, reversing a 2022 reduction back to 20 seats. Officials justify the change as a measure to address judicial backlogs and facilitate national agreement, with a special commission currently reviewing 254 candidates for the new positions. However, critics view it as a consolidation of power by the Rodríguez family leadership during a sensitive transition period. The vote occurred shortly after former US President Donald Trump pledged to free political prisoners in Venezuela, highlighting heightened external pressure. The reform places key judicial oversight bodies under the direct authority of the TSJ’s full bench, significantly altering the country's judicial architecture under the current administration led by Jorge Rodríguez and Delcy Rodríguez.
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