Venezuela withdraws from International Criminal Court, US applauds

Venezuela’s interim government, led by Delcy Rodríguez, formally notified the United Nations that it is withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The decision, described as “firm and irrevocable,” cites a perceived geographical bias that the court shows toward African and Latin American states, arguing that the ICC’s actions undermine the Global South’s sovereignty.

The U.S. State Department welcomed the move, calling the ICC “corrupt, useless, not credible, independent nor legitimate” and urging all member states to abandon the Rome Statute. Washington framed the withdrawal as part of a broader campaign to “dismantle” the tribunal, criticizing its investigations of former President Nicolás Maduro since 2018 as ineffective and a misuse of resources.

Under the Rome Statute, Venezuela’s exit will become legally effective one year after the UN receives the notification, during which the court will retain its cooperation obligations and continue ongoing investigations into alleged crimes against humanity dating from 2017. Domestic NGOs such as CLIPP and Provea condemned the withdrawal and called for the investigations to proceed despite the pending exit.