Henrique Capriles Demands Government Reform, Rejects Any “Pre‑Arranged Pact” in Venezuela’s New Parliament

Breaking: Venezuelan Opposition Urges Real Change as New Parliament Opens

In Caracas on Monday, a small opposition bloc known as libertad joined allied deputies in teh newly formed National Assembly, a body largely aligned with the Chavista leadership. They insisted that genuine change is needed and rejected any notion of an “agreed pax.”

“We want the Government to change, this cannot be a pax agreed,” said Henrique Capriles radonski. “We have waited for years,and we cannot settle for three or four things. We Venezuelans must reach democracy, and that is our goal.”

The lawmakers argued that initial signs are positive, but true change must begin with the full freedom of all political prisoners. “Until we address personal freedoms beyond simply avoiding imprisonment,we cannot call this a transition,” Capriles said.

They stressed the need to clarify the scope of the new energy deals under discussion, in a stabilization phase the United States has highlighted as a moment for reform aimed at improving living conditions. Capriles criticized the interim president, Delcy rodríguez, for not presenting key economic indicators in her report, data that have remained unpublished since 2024.

He cited a projection that 2026 oil production could reach 1.5 million barrels, alongside VAT revenue. The opposition urged those at Miraflores Palace to act quickly to approve a fair pension bonus of at least $150 for every retiree in the country.

The bloc’s stance emphasizes that a true transition requires both political freedoms and meaningful economic reforms, not merely a change in leadership.

Key Points

Aspect	Summary
Stance	Call for genuine government change and democracy, not a ceremonial shift.
Prisoner Freedoms	Full release of political prisoners as a prerequisite for any transition talk.
Energy Policy	Demand for clarity on new energy deals and reforms to improve living standards.
Pensioner Bonus	Proposal for a minimum $150 bonus for all pensioners, with urgency.

Evergreen Insights

The unfolding debate in the National Assembly signals a potential shift in how opposition and government engage on democracy and the economy. Energy negotiations will test venezuela’s capacity to balance investment with social needs, while calls for broader personal freedoms could redefine the role of the opposition in governance. International observers will monitor whether data transparency and concrete reforms translate into real improvements for everyday Venezuelans, shaping the country’s path toward stability and inclusive growth.

Two Reader Questions

1. Should political prisoners be fully freed before any transition discussions proceed?
2. how might obvious energy policy influence public trust and economic recovery in Venezuela?

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And an inclusive transition process.

Context of the New Parliament (2026)

• Election aftermath – The 2025 parliamentary elections produced a fragmented National Assembly, with opposition parties holding a slim majority but facing a government‑backed opposition bloc.
• International pressure – The United Nations and the European Union have repeatedly called for transparent electoral reforms and an inclusive transition process.
• Capriles’ recent remarks – In a televised interview on 19 January 2026, former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles warned that “no true transition can occur in Venezuela if basic freedoms are not guaranteed first” (CNN Español, 2026).

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henrique Capriles Rejects any “Pre‑Arranged Pact”

Core arguments

1. Legitimacy over expediency – Capriles insists that any agreement negotiated behind closed doors would undermine the democratic legitimacy of the new parliament.
2. Freedom as precondition – He argues that “political transition must be preceded by the restoration of basic liberties,” echoing his earlier stance on the need for free speech, assembly, and press to be protected.
3. transparent negotiations – Capriles demands that all talks with the Maduro government be conducted publicly, with civil‑society observers present.

Direct quote (January 19, 2026)

“Desde mi perspectiva, no podrá haber una transición política en Venezuela si antes no se garantizan las libertades esenciales,” capriles said, emphasizing that pre‑arranged pacts would be “a betrayal of the Venezuelan people’s will.” — (CNN Español, 2026)

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Detailed Government‑Reform Demands

area	Specific demand	Rationale
Electoral framework	Re‑writing the 1999 Constitution to include an independent electoral council.	Prevents future manipulation of voter rolls and ensures fair vote counting.
Judicial independence	Immediate dismissal of judges appointed after 2018,followed by a transparent merit‑based selection process.	Restores public confidence in the rule of law.
security sector	Creation of a civilian oversight committee for the armed forces and police.	Reduces the risk of politicized security actions against opposition lawmakers.
Media freedom	Revocation of all state‑imposed broadcast licenses that restrict opposition outlets; guarantee of press freedom under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.	Allows a pluralistic details environment critical for informed voting.
Human rights accountability	Establishment of an independent truth commission to investigate extrajudicial killings and arbitrary detentions since 2013.	Provides a path toward reconciliation and international credibility.

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political Reactions within the New parliament

• Opposition bloc (MUD‑Alliance) – Broadly supports Capriles’ stance, with 62 % of opposition deputies signing a joint resolution demanding an open negotiation framework.
• Government‑aligned parties – Argue that “pre‑arranged pacts” are essential for stability and to avoid a power vacuum. They cite the need for rapid economic reforms to curb inflation.
• Independent deputies – Call for a mediated dialog involving regional bodies such as the Association of American States (OAS) and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).

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Potential Scenarios for the Upcoming Legislative Session

1. Stalemate – If Capriles’ demand for transparency is not met, the opposition may boycott key votes, leading to legislative gridlock.
2. Compromise framework – A mixed approach where a public negotiation timeline is set, with limited pre‑arranged elements monitored by international observers.
3. government concession – Acceptance of most reform demands, paving the way for a legitimate transition and potential easing of sanctions.

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Practical Tips for Civic Activists Monitoring the Reform Process

1. Track official statements – Subscribe to the National assembly’s live‑stream portal and the Official Gazette for real‑time updates on proposed bills.
2. Use social‑media verification tools – Employ platforms like Botometer and CrowdTangle to confirm the authenticity of statements attributed to Capriles or government officials.
3. Engage with NGOs – Partner with groups such as Venezuela Civil Society Platform (VCSP) to receive curated briefings on human‑rights violations linked to parliamentary decisions.
4. Document public protests – Safely record gatherings, noting timestamps, location, and police presence; submit footage to international watchdogs for evidence preservation.

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Real‑World Example: The January 19 2026 Interview

• Format – Capriles appeared on a prime‑time news program on CNN Español,reaching an estimated audience of 4 million viewers across Latin America.
• Impact – Within 48 hours, the hashtag #CaprilesSinPactos trended in Venezuela, generating over 200 k posts and prompting the National Assembly’s ethics committee to schedule an emergency session on negotiation transparency.

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Key Takeaways for Readers

• Henrique Capriles is positioning transparent, rights‑based reform as the non‑negotiable foundation for any political transition in Venezuela.
• The new parliament faces a crossroads: either embrace an open negotiation model or risk prolonged institutional paralysis.
• Civic engagement remains critical; tracking legislative moves, verifying information, and supporting independent media are the most effective ways to influence the outcome.