Key facts
- Venezuela has officially withdrawn from the International Criminal Court.
- A UN fact-finding mission on Venezuela stated the withdrawal undermines accountability for human rights violations.
- The mission called on Venezuela to rejoin the ICC and cooperate with international justice mechanisms.
- The ICC had previously found a reasonable basis to believe crimes against humanity were committed in Venezuela.
- The U.S. welcomed Venezuela's decision, criticizing the ICC.
A United Nations fact-finding body on Venezuela expressed grave concern over the country's withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), urging it to rejoin. Venezuela's government announced on Friday its "irrevocable" decision to leave, citing alleged "geographical bias" within the court.
The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela, formed in 2019, stated that by withdrawing, the Venezuelan government seeks to evade international processes designed to ensure accountability. The mission added that Venezuela has taken no meaningful action to investigate gross violations and international crimes committed over more than a decade.
The mission called on Venezuela to rejoin the ICC and cooperate fully with international justice mechanisms, asserting that the exit "serves only to reinforce impunity for human rights violations." In 2020, the ICC had stated there was a reasonable basis to believe civilian officials, armed forces members, and pro-government individuals had committed crimes against humanity in Venezuela since at least 2017.
The ICC closed its office in Caracas in January 2025, citing a lack of cooperation from the Venezuelan government, then led by Nicolas Maduro. The U.S. welcomed Venezuela's decision, describing the ICC as "corrupt" and "worthless" in a statement.