According to a secretary of the 3rd Tribunal of First Instance on Criminal Matters and Safeguard of Public Patrimony of the state of Barinas (Juzgado Tercero de Primera Instancia en lo Penal y de Salvaguarda del Patrimonio Público de la Circumscripción Judicial del Estado de Barinas), the judge presiding over this tribunal since 1992 has been Dr. Maritza Flores Sanchez (28 Nov. 1994). The secretary added that each tribunal has a single judge (juez), who presides over it (ibid.). Further to the information provided in Response to Information Request VEN18720.E of 25 November 1994, the source stated that the judge of each tribunal normally provides a constancia or written proof of innocence to individuals requiring such a document who are found innocent of the charges presented against them (ibid.).

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Juzgado Tercero de Primera Instancia en lo Penal y de Salvaguarda del Patrimonio Público de la Circumscripción Judicial del Estado de Barinas, Barinas. 28 November 1994. Telephone interview with tribunal secretary.