Date of publication:

09/07/2026

Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

Please describe the system of government in the state.  

ANALYSIS

According to the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Venezuela is a federal and decentralised State. Political power is distributed among the national, state, and municipal levels of government. The Constitution recognises the autonomy of states and municipalities in matters falling within their respective competences, while reserving certain powers exclusively to the national government.

At the national level, public authority is organised into five branches: the Legislative, Executive, Judicial, Citizen, and Electoral branches.

The Constitution establishes a system of separation of powers and cooperation among the branches of government. The National Assembly exercises legislative functions and oversight powers, while the Executive Branch is responsible for implementing laws and administering public affairs. The Citizen Branch, composed of the Ombudsperson, the Attorney General, and the Comptroller General, is responsible for promoting accountability and safeguarding ethical conduct in public administration, while the Electoral Branch is responsible for organising and supervising electoral processes.

Although the Constitution establishes a federal structure, it also provides for coordination between the national, state, and municipal levels of government, as well as among the different branches of public authority.