Key facts
- Venezuela has formally notified the United Nations of its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court.
- The country's National Assembly voted to repeal the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the ICC.
- The government cited alleged "geographical bias" within the court, claiming it disproportionately targets nations in the Global South.
- The ICC had opened an investigation into the Maduro government for alleged crimes against humanity in November 2021.
Venezuela has formally notified the United Nations of its "irrevocable" decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia stated on Friday that the government justified the move by alleging a "geographical bias" within the court, claiming it disproportionately targets nations in the Global South.
This decision follows a vote by Venezuela's National Assembly to repeal the Rome Statute, the international treaty that established the ICC. Lawmakers, including National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, applauded the vote, denouncing the court as "antiquated" and "subservient" to "American imperialism." Rodriguez, a close ally of President Nicolas Maduro, sought to tie the court's efforts to investigate alleged human rights violations in Venezuela to the designs of the United States, which is not a party to the Rome Statute.
The ICC opened an investigation into the Maduro government in November 2021 for alleged crimes against humanity, including torture and sexual violence, particularly during 2017 anti-government protests. This investigation was paused to allow Venezuela to address allegations internally, but the court allowed it to proceed in June 2023, finding Venezuela's efforts insufficient. Human rights organizations, however, accuse the Maduro administration of extrajudicial executions and unlawful imprisonments.
Venezuela signed the Rome Statute in 1998 and ratified it in 2000. The repeal of the internal law endorsing adherence to the Statute is a necessary step to activate the withdrawal process, but formal withdrawal requires notification to the United Nations, after which a one-year period begins for the exit to take effect. The National Assembly also approved the budget for the Central Bank of Venezuela for 2026.