Venezuela's top court removes special terrorism jurisdiction from four Caracas courts

Venezuela's Supreme Tribunal of Justice eliminated the special terrorism jurisdiction held by four control courts in Caracas. The decision was made under Resolution 2026-0010, dated October 13 and published on the tribunal's portal.

The affected courts are the 30th, 49th, 52nd, and 13th First Instance Courts in Control Functions within the Metropolitan Area of Caracas judicial circuit. They previously served as the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Special Courts with national jurisdiction over terrorism-related offenses.

“optimize the justice administration service and guarantee due process, the right to defense, and effective judicial protection”

Terrorism-related cases will now be distributed equitably among state control courts across the country's penal judicial circuits. Ordinary competence rules from the Organic Criminal Procedural Code will determine which court handles each case based on subject matter, territory, and procedural connection.

An exception regime applies to cases in the preparatory investigation phase, particularly those involving active covert operations or controlled deliveries.