Supreme Tribunal Packed, Expanding Bench From 20 to 32 Justices

The 2004 Law on the Supreme Tribunal of Justice expanded the court from 20 to 32 magistrates and let the Chávez-controlled National Assembly appoint the new seats by simple majority, rather than the two-thirds supermajority the constitution otherwise required for judicial appointments. This gave the government a reliable majority on Venezuela's highest court, which went on to consistently rule in the executive's favour, including validating the 2017 Constituent Assembly documented in the following period.