Venezuela Votes To Withdraw From Rome Statute Amid ICC Investigation Into Maduro Government

Venezuela's National Assembly has approved legislation to withdraw the country from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC). Lawmakers hailed the move as a rebuke of an institution they say has overreached while critics warn the decision is an attempt to evade international scrutiny.

Why Lawmakers Backed Withdrawal

Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly and a close ally of President Nicolás Maduro, described the vote as a denunciation of the court's "uselessness and subservience." In a government statement posted online, Rodríguez accused the ICC of aligning with the political aims of the United States — a country that is not a party to the Rome Statute.

"It is to demonstrate and denounce to the world the uselessness and subservience of an institution that should serve to protect the people," Rodríguez said.

Background: Venezuela And The ICC

Venezuela signed the Rome Statute in October 1998 and ratified it in June 2000. The bill approved by the assembly now awaits formal signature by President Maduro, which would revoke Venezuela's ratification.

The ICC opened a preliminary examination in November 2021 into allegations that the Maduro government committed crimes against humanity, citing reports of torture, sexual violence and killings of political opponents, notably during anti-government protests in 2017. The court paused its efforts to allow for domestic investigations but in June 2023 determined Venezuela's steps were insufficient and authorized the investigation to proceed.

Government Response And Human Rights Allegations

The Venezuelan government has consistently rejected the accusations. In filings to the court, Caracas has argued there was "no systematic attack on the civilian population, and that no crimes were committed." Human rights groups, however, continue to report alleged extrajudicial executions, unlawful detentions and violent crackdowns on opposition members.

Observers have also questioned the independence of Venezuela's legislature given the strong influence of the Maduro administration over Assembly membership.

ICC Reach And Recent Developments

The Rome Statute currently has about 125 states parties. The ICC prosecutes the gravest international crimes: war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and aggression. The court, however, faces limitations: several major powers, including the United States, China and Russia, are not parties to the treaty, and critics say the court has struggled to enforce its warrants.

Since it began operating, the ICC has issued dozens of arrest warrants but secured relatively few detentions and convictions, a pattern the court itself and its critics have acknowledged.

Closure Of The Caracas Office

Thursday's vote followed the ICC's decision to close an office it had opened in Caracas in 2024 to support the investigation. The prosecutor, Mame Mandiaye Niang, said the office had found it challenging to achieve "real progress" and cited limited resources in announcing the closure effective December 1. Venezuela's Ministry of Foreign Relations criticized the closure, accusing the prosecutor's office of a lack of cooperation and of politicizing justice.

Where This Leaves The Investigation

The 2023 investigation remains open. International attention on Venezuela increased after a contested 2024 presidential election and the government's forceful response to resulting protests. Withdrawal from the Rome Statute would complicate future ICC jurisdiction over crimes committed on Venezuelan territory, though legal and political questions remain about how and when such a withdrawal would affect ongoing inquiries.

Key Names: Jorge Rodríguez (President of the National Assembly), Nicolás Maduro (President of Venezuela), Mame Mandiaye Niang (ICC prosecutor).