Venezuela has announced its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the tribunal of geographical bias. Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia stated that the ICC's disproportionate focus on African and Latin American countries reflects a demonstrated bias. The announcement follows an ongoing ICC investigation into alleged crimes against humanity under the government of ousted president Nicolas Maduro.
Caracas has informed the United Nations of its "firm and irrevocable decision" to withdraw from the ICC. Interim leader Delcy Rodriguez, who assumed power after US forces ousted Maduro in January, instructed the move. Plasencia emphasized that the Court's actions disproportionately target African and Latin American nations.
The ICC, based in The Hague, has not yet received formal notification of Venezuela's withdrawal. The court expressed regret over any decision to leave, noting that withdrawal takes one year to become official. Even after withdrawal, Venezuela would remain bound by obligations arising from pre-existing investigations.
The ICC is currently probing alleged crimes against humanity during crackdowns on protestors in Venezuela since 2014. In December 2025, Venezuela's parliament took steps to repeal the Rome Statute, the court's founding text, after the tribunal closed its Caracas office. In March, the ICC dismissed complaints filed by Venezuela that US sanctions amounted to crimes against humanity.
Plasencia's announcement coincides with ICC member states' decision to dismiss top prosecutor Karim Khan over allegations of sexual assault. Khan denies the allegations and plans to challenge his dismissal. In 2024, Khan successfully applied for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.
When President Donald Trump took office for the second time in 2025, the United States retaliated by imposing sanctions on the ICC and its judges. Neither the US nor Israel is a party to the ICC, which tries individuals for the world's worst crimes including war crimes and crimes against humanity.






























