Venezuela's National Assembly backs Delcy Rodriguez UN trip, delays judicial reform

Venezuela's National Assembly approved acting President Delcy Rodriguez's trip to the 81st UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, calling her participation a "historic milestone" for diplomatic relations. The authorization was processed via "parliamentary urgency" without reading her request letter or specifying the duration of her absence.

Lawmakers also passed a resolution granting her political backing hours before her address to over 100 heads of state. The session marked the legislature's return to the Federal Legislative Palace after repairs from the June 24 earthquake.

“In Venezuela there will be elections”

Despite expectations following a partial reform of the Supreme Court law on September 18, the Assembly did not include the appointment of a preliminary judicial nominations committee on its agenda. This committee is a required step to name 32 new magistrates, a key point in the ongoing dialogue between the government and opposition.

Opposition lawmaker David Uzcategui urged the body to appoint a new Supreme Court and electoral authority to guarantee elections "as soon as possible," a proposal the ruling party did not contest. Rodriguez arrived in the U.S. on September 21 for meetings with the IMF, World Bank, and President Donald Trump.

In her UN address, Rodriguez declared that "there will be elections in Venezuela" and said the government had initiated political dialogue with opposition sectors for a process under "equal conditions." She stated the Venezuelan people would determine the timing and that institutions would guarantee an "inclusive and transparent" vote.