On 19 October 2026, Ibero-American Colloquium No. 355 convened scholars, experts, representatives of international institutions and civil society organisations in a hybrid format to examine the various reform proposals for institutionalising Venezuela’s justice system. The event was held in cooperation with the Andrés Bello Catholic University (UCAB), in particular its Human Rights Centre, the Department of Comparative Law of its Legal Research Institute, and the “Teresa de la Parra” Open Chair in Women’s Studies.

Padre Arturo Peraza, SJ, Rector of UCAB, delivered welcoming remarks. Speaking on behalf of the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law (MPIL), Mariela Morales Antoniazzi outlined the theoretical framework of the ius commune and of re-inter-Americanisation as applied to Venezuela’s transition. Presentations were given by Professors Carlos Ayala Corao, Jesús María Casal and Magaly Vásquez; attorneys Marianna Romero and Beatriz Borges; José Luis Caballero, Vice-President of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights; and Óscar Parra Vera, judge at the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.

The discussion delved into processes of judicial renewal and institutional reform from a transitional justice perspective. Participants assessed the Venezuelan case in light of comparative experiences, such as those of Ecuador and Guatemala, and of inter-American human rights standards. Speakers emphasised the need to ensure representation and pluralism throughout the reform, including a call to uphold the Venezuelan statutory requirement of gender parity in the composition of the judiciary. Civil society’s monitoring role formed another focal point of the debate.

All contributions underscored the importance of complying with established criteria and standards in order to secure an independent judiciary and prevent a mere distribution of political quotas. Transparency, adherence to clear rules, an assessment matrix covering the various dimensions to be weighed, public participation and civil society oversight were identified as key elements of this reform process.