Venezuela Announces Permanent Withdrawal from the International Criminal Court

On July 24, 2026, Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia told the United Nations that Venezuela had taken an “irrevocable” step to begin a permanent withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Acting President Delcy Rodriguez ordered the move, arguing that the court’s work is “geographically biased” against nations in Africa and Latin America. The ICC confirmed it has not yet received a formal notification and noted that withdrawal will become effective after one year, with any obligations arising while Venezuela was a party remaining in force.

RFI (Radio France Internationale)

The ICC opened a formal investigation in 2021 into alleged crimes against humanity committed during crackdowns on anti-government protests that began in 2017. In 2020 the court said there was a “reasonable basis” to believe civilian officials, armed-force members and pro-government actors had committed such crimes. Venezuela’s National Assembly voted in December 2025 to repeal the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the ICC, paving the way for the current withdrawal.

RFI (Radio France Internationale)

The United Nations has been formally notified of Venezuela’s intent. U.S. forces seized former President Nicolas Maduro in January 2026, an action the Reuters report links to the broader post-Maduro transition shaped by Washington.

Reuters

Venezuela’s exit aligns the country more closely with the United States, whose administration has repeatedly criticized the ICC and pledged to “systematically disable” its operations. The same day the withdrawal was announced, ICC member states voted to dismiss Prosecutor Karim Khan following sexual-misconduct allegations, with 82 of 125 states supporting the motion. The ICC’s investigation in Venezuela will continue despite the withdrawal.

Reuters

• “Venezuela considers that the Court's actions reflect a demonstrated geographical bias, which has disproportionately concentrated its work on African and Latin American countries,” — Felix Plasencia, foreign minister

RFI (Radio France Internationale)

• “The International Criminal Court has been so heavily politicized to attack the Venezuelan people and the Venezuelan state that we do not believe in that type of organization or institution,” — Delcy Rodriguez, acting president

Reuters

• “Venezuela considers that the Court’s actions reflect a demonstrated geographical bias, which has disproportionately concentrated its work on African and Latin American countries, to the detriment of the Global South,” — Felix Plasencia, foreign minister

Al Jazeera (website)

• “Venezuela believes that the Court’s actions reflect a demonstrated geographic bias, which has disproportionately focused its work on African and Latin American countries, to the detriment of the Global South,” — Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia

Venezuela notifies UN of start of permanent withdrawal from International Criminal Court