Reviews of political bans and party law

The government and opposition delegations closed their third round of talks in Caracas with a joint statement. The most prominent commitment is a deep review of several legal instruments. The Organic Law of the Comptroller General will be examined specifically for the process of political disqualifications that has kept many opposition leaders from standing for election. The parties also agreed to revisit the Law on Political Parties to guarantee pluralism and to define terrorism more precisely in current legislation.

Both sides also started discussing a Defensoría de garantías políticas y participación ciudadana, a body meant to protect political rights. It could take the form of a new law or emerge directly from the dialogue table. Notícias ao Minuto and DW add that the parties proposed reviewing the Simón Bolívar Law, approved by the National Assembly in 2024 and presided over by Jorge Rodríguez. That law provides for 25 to 30 years in prison, large fines and 60 years of political ineligibility for anyone who calls for sanctions against Venezuelan authorities.

Political context

The opposition has asked that the political disqualification of María Corina Machado be lifted. Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been outside Venezuela since December, and the opposition wants her able to return and lead a transition ahead of a possible presidential election. The round closed on 21 October according to DW, while EL PAÍS dated the close to Tuesday and Europa Press and Notícias ao Minuto dated the announcement to Wednesday. Accounts of the schedule also differ: Europa Press counted six working days in Caracas, while EL PAÍS described a ten-day agenda.

EL PAÍS, which described the round as ending without concrete agreements, reported that the results were announced several hours late, around 9 pm. It said the two sides had found little common ground on core issues such as restoring constitutional rights and fair conditions for parties and candidates. The paper also noted a lukewarm public reaction to the resumption of talks.

Gold held at the Bank of England

The two delegations agreed to form a joint commission that will press UK authorities on the need and urgency of recovering Venezuelan reserve assets deposited at the Bank of England. The stated aim is to use those funds for people affected by the double earthquake that hit La Guaira and areas near Caracas in June, and to restore public services. Notícias ao Minuto dates the earthquake to 24 June. Dinorah Figuera, who leads the opposition delegation for the 2015 National Assembly, defended that body's role in protecting these assets from the government of former president Nicolás Maduro.

Terrorism charges after the 2024 election

Following the 2024 presidential election, a large number of people were charged with terrorism after being accused of vandalism and violence. Tarek William Saab, then the attorney general, described them as terrorists during the post-election crisis. That same year, lawyer Joel García told EFE that detainees were charged with terrorism collectively, without their individual conduct being specified. He argued this breached the principle that criminal responsibility is individual, and called the terrorism accusations a systematic and widespread pattern against dissidents.

Next steps

Rodríguez said the next talks will take place between 11 and 15 November, according to DW, while EL PAÍS reported that the fourth session is planned for November. Rodríguez also said the nominating committee for a new Supreme Court of Justice should be sworn in on 22 October, according to EL PAÍS. Whether the proposed ombudsman body becomes law or stays within the dialogue process remains open.