Venezuela's government, opposition reach accord on court reform

Venezuela's feuding political factions have taken an unexpected step toward consensus by agreeing to work jointly on reforming the country's highest court. The government and opposition have established a committee tasked with examining how candidates are selected for positions on the Supreme Court of Justice.

The accord represents a rare moment of cooperation between the two sides, which have been locked in bitter disputes over governance, elections, and institutional legitimacy for years. The committee's review of candidate selection procedures could potentially reshape how judges are appointed to the court, which has been a flashpoint of political contention.

Details regarding the committee's specific mandate, timeline, and composition were not immediately specified. The agreement comes amid ongoing international pressure on Venezuela to improve democratic governance and judicial independence.

The Supreme Court of Justice has long been viewed by opposition leaders and international observers as aligned with the government, raising concerns about the independence of the judiciary. Any reform process would likely face scrutiny from both domestic stakeholders and the international community seeking assurances that institutional changes strengthen rather than compromise judicial oversight.