Venezuela’s legal system just hit a massive reset button. On Wednesday, the National Assembly quickly confirmed Larry Devoe as the country’s acting Attorney General. This wasn’t some slow, bureaucratic transition. It happened in the blink of an eye after Tarek William Saab, the man who held the post since 2017, suddenly stepped down. If you’re looking at this from the outside, it might seem like just another musical chairs routine in Caracas, but the timing tells a different story.
Saab didn’t just vanish. He’s moving over to become the acting Ombudsman. Meanwhile, Alfredo Ruiz, the former Ombudsman, is out. This shakeup is happening right as Venezuela is wading through thousands of amnesty requests. It’s a high-stakes moment for a country trying to navigate a very messy political "healing" phase.
Who is Larry Devoe anyway
You might not know the name, but Devoe isn't a newcomer. He’s been a fixture in the government’s legal and diplomatic circles for years. Before this jump to the top prosecutor’s spot, he served as the executive secretary of the National Human Rights Council.
Devoe is 46, a lawyer trained at Andrés Bello Catholic University, and he’s spent a lot of time defending the government’s record in front of international bodies like the UN. He’s technical, he’s experienced, and he’s deeply embedded in the current administration’s legal strategy. Honestly, he’s the guy they call when they need someone who knows how to talk to international human rights observers without giving away the farm.
A career built on loyalty and law
Devoe’s resume is a roadmap of the "Citizen Power" branch in Venezuela. He’s worked at Conatel and held various roles in the Ombudsman’s office before. Most recently, he was part of the Peace and Coexistence Program. That’s the group handling the fallout of the new Amnesty Law.
Why Tarek William Saab moved
Saab’s exit from the Attorney General’s office is the end of an era. Since 2017, he was the face of the Public Ministry. He was the one holding the press conferences, announcing the arrests, and framing the legal narrative for the state. Why move him now?
The official word from National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez is that these changes are about "making corrections" and ensuring state institutions are ready for the current political climate. But let’s be real. Saab was a polarizing figure. He’s under US sanctions and has been a frequent target of international criticism regarding human rights. Moving him to the Ombudsman’s office—a role focused on "protecting" citizen rights—is a choice that’s already making waves.
Opposition leaders like Henrique Capriles aren't buying the "correction" narrative. Capriles called Saab’s new role an "insult to victims." To the opposition, this is just a rebranding of the same power structure.
The Amnesty Law connection
You can’t talk about Devoe’s appointment without talking about the Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence. This is the real engine behind the scenes. The law is designed to cover political violence dating all the way back to 1999.
As of late February 2026, over 8,000 people have filed petitions for amnesty. That is a staggering number. The Public Ministry, now under Devoe’s acting leadership, has to process these. It’s a logistical and political nightmare.
- 8,110 petitions filed in just one week.
- The law covers 13 specific periods of protest and conflict.
- The goal is "healing wounds," according to Saab’s exit statement.
What happens next in Caracas
Don’t think this is the final lineup. Devoe and Saab are technically "acting" in these roles. The National Assembly has already set up a 13-member committee to find permanent replacements within 30 days.
If you’re watching this closely, keep an eye on how Devoe handles those 8,000+ amnesty files. That’s the true test. If the process is seen as a genuine olive branch, it might actually change the conversation. If it’s seen as a selective clearing of the decks, the international pressure won't let up.
For those tracking the legal shifts, here’s the immediate reality:
- Larry Devoe is the man in charge of all criminal prosecutions right now.
- The Nominations Committee has a month to decide if he stays or if someone else takes the permanent seat.
- The Amnesty Law is the top priority for the justice system this month.
Get used to the name Larry Devoe. Whether he’s the "temporary manager" or the permanent face of the Public Ministry, he’s holding the keys to Venezuela’s legal future during its most sensitive transition in years. Watch the committee's 30-day deadline. That's when we'll see if this was a quick fix or a long-term strategy.
