Venezuela's (Un)Rule of Law under Nicolás Maduro

Lacking independence, and notoriously politicized under Hugo Chávez, the Venezuelan Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) continued to fulfill important roles in the Nicolás Maduro era. This chapter discusses how securing control of the high court-an institution that has served the interests of the Chavista regime since its origins-has assisted Nicolás Maduro in his struggle to survive the country's crisis and consolidate authoritarian rule. Under Maduro, the TSJ has functioned as a bulwark of autocracy, helping to eviscerate the opposition's use of the country's federal legislature; paving the way to create a sham Constituent Assembly; endorsing government officials' repressive actions and other open violations to fundamental rights, including actions currently being investigated as crimes against humanity; and serving as a tool of authoritarian governance. As Maduro's rule continues, the TSJ remains a relevant institution in the process of authoritarian consolidation, intervening selectively on behalf of regime's interests, whilst remaining unwilling to protect fundamental rights. NOTE: A definitive version of this draft will be published as Chapter 6 of the Edited Volume "Authoritarian Consolidation in Times of Crisis: Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro", edited by John Polga-Hecimovich and Raul Sánchez Urribarrí (Routledge, 2025). Please contact the authors for any questions regarding this chapter.