UN Report: Maduro’s Influence Corrupts Venezuela’s Supreme Court and Electoral Council

An Independent fact-finding mission of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Venezuela has warned that Supreme Court of Justice and the National Electoral Council lack independence and impartiality from the Nicolas Maduro Administration.

Highlights from report prepared by the three member panel of legal and human rights experts were shared on August 22. The members are Marta Valinas who serves as Chair, expert members Francisco Cox Vial, and Patricia Tappata Valdez.

(United Nations)

“We warn about the lack of independence and impartiality of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) and of the National Electoral Council (CNE) which have played a role in the State’s repressive machinery.” 

According to Chairperson Valinas, “The Government exerted undue influence over TSJ decisions including  through direct messages to the judge and public statements from President Nicolas Maduro and Diosdado Cabello”. Venezuela’s Opposition Leader, Maria Corina Machado and Presidential Candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez have both leveled similar accusations against the CNE.

 Expert member, F. Cox Vial asserted that “In 2022, the National Assembly, which has a pro-government majority, altered the membership of the Judicial Nominations Committee to control it and selected the current 20 TSJ Judges.” He added that, “The current President of the TSJ and its Electoral Chamber, Caryslia Beatriz Rodriguez, Rodriguez is a member of the ruling party and has held elected positions.” 

Meanwhile, Expert Valdez said, “The current President of the CNE, Elvis Amoroso, served as a member of the National Assembly for the ruling party” and “as Comptroller General, he was responsible for the arbitrary disqualification of Maria Corina Machado and other opposition candidates”. Ms Machado has been barred from running for any government office for 15 years. This decision when appealed was upheld by the Supreme Court Tribunal.

(United Nations)

On August 17, Ms Machado and Mr Gonzalez led protests across Venezuela and internationally against the CNE’s declaration that Nicolas Maduro’s had won a third term from the July 28 election. Hundreds of people came out in a show of support across the globe.

 Meanwhile, the international community through a joint statement has emphasized the need for dialogue and accountability. The call for the release of the full election tallies from CNE continues to be ignored.