Venezuela to exit International Criminal Court, accusing it of ‘bias’

Venezuela has formally notified the United Nations of its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, characterizing the institution as biased against countries in the Global South. Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia announced the decision on social media, stating that interim President Delcy Rodriguez had ordered the withdrawal, which Venezuela describes as irrevocable. The government argues that the court's investigative focus disproportionately targets African and Latin American nations while neglecting Western powers, thereby perpetuating global inequalities and undermining national sovereignty.

The ICC initiated an investigation in 2021 into alleged crimes against humanity committed by Venezuelan authorities during a 2017 crackdown on opposition protests. Venezuela's National Assembly had already voted in December to terminate the country's commitments under the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the court.

The timing of Venezuela's withdrawal coincides with the country's growing alignment with United States policy. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced one week prior that the administration would pursue a campaign to systematically disable the ICC's operational capacity. The Trump administration has previously employed sanctions against ICC prosecutors investigating American and Israeli military actions.

Venezuela's shift toward the United States has accelerated following the assumption of power by interim President Delcy Rodriguez after former President Nicolas Maduro was removed from office in January. The country's repositioning has occurred amid threats of additional military intervention, and observers have noted indications that Venezuela may be moving toward normalized relations with Israel.