US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted opposition negotiator Dinorah Figuera in Washington to endorse a US‑backed push to rebuild Venezuela’s judicial and electoral institutions. Rubio said the goal extends beyond holding elections to creating durable bodies capable of sustaining stability and democracy, according to his statement at the meeting. Figuera, who leads an opposition bloc engaged in talks with the acting government, described the US role as opening a path of hope and said restoring the Supreme Court of Justice and the National Electoral Council is central to reconciliation and political rights.
Negotiators at a dialogue table that includes interim authorities and members of the 2015 National Assembly have already agreed several steps toward renewing the Supreme Court. Lawmakers reformed Article 65 of the Organic Law governing the court to rebalance representation on the Judicial Nominations Committee. A verification council of four respected legal experts was named to vet candidates. The nominations mechanism drew 127 applicants from civil society and elsewhere, and Juan Miguel Matheus, a member of the opposition team, said his group is working to appoint and swear in the committee members so that applications for the 32 justice posts can proceed.
Those leading the talks argue that a competent Supreme Court should precede any presidential contest to safeguard electoral results. The negotiators propose a Nominations Committee with a civil society majority, a change they say will help guarantee independent, qualified justices who can review acts by the National Electoral Council and other state powers. Rubio told reporters he supports the multi‑phase plan and urged broader opposition unity behind the process.
Arrests and Legal Pressure on Venezuelan Insiders
Separately, US law enforcement agencies have moved against a long‑sought businessman accused of paying bribes to secure state contracts in Venezuela. Alvaro Pulido was taken into US custody after an investigation led by the DEA, FBI and Homeland Security Investigations, US officials said. It remained unclear from official statements how he was brought into US custody. Pulido was expected to make an initial court appearance in Miami.
The US attorney general, Todd Blanche, said prosecutors view the alleged conduct as corruption that diverted food, medicine and housing programs for personal gain and exploited the American financial system. US indictments allege Pulido and his longtime partner Alex Saab used offshore shell companies to funnel bribes in exchange for more than $2 billion in contracts. Saab has pleaded guilty in a related case, agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, and forfeited criminal proceeds, according to court filings cited by US officials.
Venezuelan authorities have not publicly commented on the recent custody development. Observers note the arrests underline an uneasy balance for the acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, who must manage pressure from elements of the ruling coalition that resist US attempts to detain or extradite high‑profile insiders. The US statement and the ongoing negotiations on institutional renewal together illustrate how diplomatic and law enforcement efforts are converging on Venezuela’s political transition.
