July 25, 2026, 06:35July 25, 2026, 06:35
Venezuela has announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC). On the instructions of incumbent President Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela communicated to UN Secretary-General António Guterres “its firm and irrevocable decision to (…) initiate the final withdrawal from the ICC,” said Venezuelan Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia on Platform X.
Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez.Image: keystone
The government of the South American country justified its move by saying that the court in The Hague, Netherlands, was discriminating against the countries of the Global South. “Venezuela believes that the Court’s actions are based on a proven geographical bias that has resulted in its work being disproportionately focused on African and Latin American countries,” the statement said.
Plasencia accused the court of “persecution of the Venezuelan people.” The institution exacerbates inequalities that international justice is supposed to eliminate.
Investigations against Venezuela have been underway for years
The World Criminal Court has been investigating alleged crimes against humanity in Venezuela for years. This is about the violent suppression of protests by security forces and the military nine years ago. In December last year, the ICC prosecutor’s office closed its office in Caracas because it did not see sufficient willingness to cooperate. The Venezuelan parliament then decided to initiate the country’s withdrawal.
According to the Rome Statute, a state’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court takes effect one year after the date on which the UN Secretary-General receives formal notification. The Rome Statute establishes the court’s jurisdiction over genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of aggression. (sda/dpa)