Venezuela has informed the United Nations that it will withdraw from the International Criminal Court, Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia said, calling the decision "firm and irrevocable" and ordered by acting President Delcy Rodriguez. Plasencia accused the ICC of geographic bias against Africa and Latin America and said the court undermines the Global South's sovereignty. The announcement arrives amid ICC probes into alleged crimes against humanity linked to President Nicolas Maduro's government, which Caracas denies. Under the Rome Statute, withdrawal generally takes effect one year after notification and does not automatically end existing proceedings.
Venezuela Notifies UN of Withdrawal From International Criminal Court
FILE PHOTO - Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez makes a statement. (is associated with: «Venezuela withdraws from International Criminal Court») Jhonn Zerpa/Prensa Miraflores/dpa
Venezuela has formally notified the United Nations that it will withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia announced on Friday. Plasencia said the decision — which he described as "firm and irrevocable" — was ordered by acting President Delcy Rodriguez.
Plasencia accused the ICC of a "demonstrated geographical bias," saying the court has disproportionately focused on African and Latin American countries to the detriment of the Global South. "This pattern reveals an international justice system that, far from being applied equitably, has been instrumentalized to deepen inequalities among peoples and disregard their right to self-determination and sovereignty," he wrote on X.
The announcement comes as the ICC is investigating the government of President Nicolas Maduro for alleged crimes against humanity. The Venezuelan government rejects those accusations and has framed the withdrawal as a response to perceived unfair treatment.
Under the Rome Statute, a state's notification of withdrawal typically takes effect one year after the UN receives it. Withdrawal does not automatically cancel proceedings already opened before the effective date, and legal experts say the move could complicate cooperation with the court and the future of ongoing investigations.
Implications: The notification will be entered into UN records, and the formal withdrawal process will follow treaty timelines. Observers caution that while withdrawal signals political rejection of the ICC, it does not necessarily halt investigations already under way.
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