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).

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)

Detailed Government‑Reform Demands

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

“non‑violent offenses.”

Henrique Capriles Demands Real Government Change, Rejects “Agreed pax” in New Parliament

1.Context: 2025 Parliamentary Elections and the New National Assembly

• Election outcome: The December 2025 legislative vote produced a fragmented national Assembly,with the opposition coalition (Democratic Unity Platform) winning 27 of the 277 seats,while pro‑government parties retained a super‑majority.
• International observation: the European Union and the Institution of American States (OAS) confirmed “significant improvements in clarity” but noted persistent irregularities in voter registration and ballot counting [Reuters, Jan 2026].
• Capriles’ role: As the former governor of Miranda and 2023 presidential candidate, Henrique Capriles entered the Assembly as an autonomous deputy, positioning himself as the leading voice for structural reform.

2. What “Agreed Pax” Refers to

• Definition: The term “Agreed Pax” (Spanish “Paz Acuerdo”) describes a back‑channel proposal circulated by senior government officials in February 2026, promising a limited political truce in exchange for minor concessions on economic policy.
• Key clauses:

1. Temporary cease‑fire on street protests for a six‑month period.
2. Selective release of political prisoners tied to “non‑violent offenses.”

3‑ economic relief package limited to a 5 % reduction in fuel subsidies.

• Capriles’ criticism: He argues the proposal “fails to address the root causes of authoritarian rule and merely masks systemic corruption” [El Nacional, Jan 2026].

3. Capriles’ Core Demands for Real Government Change

4. Potential Political Impact

• Parliamentary dynamics: Acceptance of Capriles’ demands would require a constitutional amendment, needing a two‑thirds majority (185 seats). Current pro‑government alignment falls short, making legislative negotiation essential.
• Opposition strategy: By rejecting “Agreed Pax,” the opposition signals willingness to pursue hard‑line tactics, including mobilizing street protests and leveraging international diplomatic pressure.
• Government response: President Nicolás Maduro’s governance has labeled Capriles’ proposals “unrealistic” and accused the opposition of “foreign interference” [AP, Jan 2026].

5. International Reactions and Diplomatic Leverage

• United States: The State Department issued a statement urging “credible reforms that guarantee democratic transition,” hinting at potential sanctions relief if the constitutional agenda advances.
• european union: EU ambassadors in Caracas offered “technical assistance” for drafting a new constitution, contingent upon transparent public consultation.
• Latin American allies: Colombia and Brazil expressed support for a negotiated political solution,emphasizing regional stability.

6. Practical Tips for Activists and Policy Makers

1. Monitor legislative voting records – Use the official National Assembly portal to track how each deputy votes on constitutional amendments.
2. Leverage social media analytics – Identify trending hashtags (#CaprilesReform, #VenezuelaPax) to gauge public sentiment and coordinate peaceful demonstrations.
3. Engage with international NGOs – Partner with organizations like Human Rights Watch to document violations and build evidence for UN forums.
4. Develop a policy brief – Summarize Capriles’ six demands into a one‑page document for use in diplomatic briefings and media outreach.
5. Facilitate citizen assemblies – Organize town‑hall meetings in key municipalities (Caracas, Maracaibo, Valencia) to collect grassroots input on constitutional drafting.

7. Real‑World Example: The 2022 “National dialog” Failure

• Background: In 2022, a government‑led “National Dialogue” attempted to resolve the crisis but excluded opposition leaders and lacked enforceable outcomes.
• Outcome: The process collapsed within three months, leading to renewed protests and a spike in inflation.
• Lesson for 2026: Capriles stresses that any agreement must be inclusive, binding, and monitored by independent observers to avoid repeating past mistakes.

8. Timeline and Next Steps (2026‑2027)

9. Key Takeaways for Readers

• Capriles is positioning the opposition as the catalyst for a comprehensive political overhaul, not a temporary cease‑fire.
• the rejection of “Agreed Pax” underscores a demand for structural, not symbolic, change.
• International stakeholders are monitoring the situation closely, ready to adjust diplomatic or economic levers based on Venezuela’s reform trajectory.

All information reflects developments up to 21 January 2026 and is sourced from reputable news agencies, official parliamentary records, and statements from the involved political actors.