Administrative Law · Venezuela · April 2026
LOCOTA: A new law or a continuation of the road?
On April 8, 2026, the Organic Law for the Celerity and Optimization of Administrative Procedures entered into force. Here is what changes — and what remains.
Before · LESTA 2014
Law for the Simplification of Administrative Procedures
Ordinary decree-law · OG No. 40,549
Ordinary decree-law · OG No. 40,549
Hierarchy
Ordinary law
Lower rank within the Venezuelan legal system
Governing body
INGETRAPER
Specialized technical institute for procedure management
Digitalization
General regulation
No specific rules on institutional interoperability
Rights of the administered party
Basic constitutional principles
Speed, efficiency, and transparency as the baseline
Repeal
Not expressly repealed
Non-conflicting provisions remain in force alongside LOCOTA
Now · LOCOTA · April 2026
Organic law approved by
the National Assembly
the National Assembly
Hierarchy
Organic law
Higher rank; prevails over ordinary statutes
Governing body
National Commission
Chaired by the head of State; includes governors, mayors, and the People’s Defender
Digitalization
Interoperability enshrined
Arts. 10–12: agencies must exchange information without shifting the burden to users
Rights of the administered party
3 new express rights
Legal certainty · Right to cure · Presumption of good faith
Transition
180-day adjustment period
Principles are already invocable; specific mechanisms are being implemented