Caracas, Venezuela — The government of Acting President Delcy Rodriguez continues to implement significant reorganization within Venezuelan institutions. Late last week, her administration announced the appointment of Larry Devoe as attorney general and Egliée González Lobato as the new ombudsman.
Various NGOs have questioned whether the appointment demonstrates a commitment to a real political transition in the country following the U.S. arrest of Nicolas Maduro on January 3.
Transparencia Venezuela (Transparency Venezuela), an organization dedicated to increasing transparency in public administration and exposing cases of corruption, noted in X that Devoe does not meet the requirements for this position.
“His professional background does not include experience as a judge or prosecutor. His career has unfolded primarily in the Office of the Ombudsman and the National Human Rights Commission, as well as roles as a representative of the country in international organizations,” the NGO wrote.
Devoe held various positions within the Chavista government. One of the most important was the presidency of Venezuela’s National Human Rights Commission, which supports “observance of the instructions of the President of the Republic on the national public policy on human rights.”
He also served as the State Representative of the Inter-American Human Rights System, representing the government at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and defending Venezuela against numerous charges of human rights violations.
Devoe replaced outgoing Attorney General Tarek William Saab, who served as attorney general for about eight years.
The group also pointed out what they say is another key issue. “He does not have a doctorate in criminal law, but a master’s degree in constitutional law from the University of Valencia in Spain.”
In the case of González Lobato, the NGO argues that she also does not meet the requirements of Article 280 of the Constitution for the position of ombudsman, a civil servant who “demonstrates demonstrated competence in human rights matters.”
Before entering politics, González Lobato served as legal advisor to the National Electoral Council (CNE). She is a popular voice for her expertise on election issues and has made critical comments about the opposition party, calling them “traitors.”
Ahead of the controversial 2024 elections, she often appeared on television claiming that Maduro could win the country’s elections without fraud. The CNE later certified the election in Maduro’s favor, despite evidence to the contrary from Venezuela’s opposition and international observers.
González Lobato replaces Alfredo Ruiz, who has held the position since 2017.
Transparencia Venezuela believes that none of these appointments represent changes to institutions that are central to the functioning of the state.
“Reinstitutionalization is impossible without guarantees or fundamental reforms,” they explained.
In a document signed by 60 NGOs, they accused the selection process of lacking transparency, citizen participation and independence, violating constitutional principles.
Moreover, they criticize Devoe’s performance due to his previous ties to institutions implicated in political persecution, and point out González Lobato’s lack of human rights experience.
Despite opposition, NGOs urged new civil servants to have an ethical and legal obligation to act independently of political power and ensure human rights without discrimination.
Specific demands also included an immediate end to political persecution, the release of arbitrarily detained prisoners, and effective investigations into crimes against humanity identified by international organizations.
Likewise, NGOs urged both government agencies to fully cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the United Nations (UN), transparently visit detention centers, and promote Venezuela’s re-entry into the Inter-American human rights system to change the pattern of criminalizing dissent and restore public trust.
This political appointment comes at a time when the government is trying to project an image of ‘restoration’ and modernization to the international community.
But critics believe they do not signal real change in Venezuela, given that the appointees are still very closely linked to Delcy Rodriguez’s government.
Featured image: Larry Devoe and Eglee González Lobato.
Image source: Transparency Venezuela via X.
