Venezuela has announced that it will withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the tribunal of showing geographical bias in its work. The announcement came on Friday as the ICC continues to investigate alleged crimes against humanity committed under the government of former President Nicolas Maduro.
Venezuela Informs the United Nations
Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia said Venezuela had formally informed the United Nations of its decision to leave the ICC. In a post on X, Plasencia said the decision was "firm and irrevocable."
He added that interim leader Delcy Rodriguez, who took office after US forces removed Maduro in January, had directed the government to begin the withdrawal process.
Government Accuses ICC of Bias
Plasencia said Venezuela believes the ICC has unfairly focused on countries in Africa and Latin America. "Venezuela considers that the Court's actions reflect a demonstrated geographical bias, which has disproportionately concentrated its work on African and Latin American countries," he said.
The government argued that the court has failed to apply international justice equally around the world.
ICC Says It Has Not Received Formal Notice
The Hague-based court said it had not yet received Venezuela's official withdrawal notice. The ICC expressed regret over the decision. "We regret any decision to depart from the collective effort to end impunity for the most serious international crimes," the court said.
The tribunal also explained that a country's withdrawal becomes effective only after one year.
Withdrawal Will Not Stop Existing Investigations
The ICC stressed that Venezuela must continue to meet obligations that arose while it was a member of the court. Even after the withdrawal takes effect, existing investigations and legal proceedings will continue.
"The withdrawing State remains bound by obligations that arose whilst it was a State Party," the court said.
It also added, "Withdrawal does not affect any pre-existing cooperation obligations arising from criminal investigations or proceedings that had commenced" previously.
ICC Continues Venezuela Investigation
The ICC is investigating allegations of crimes against humanity linked to the Venezuelan government's crackdown on anti-government protesters since 2014.
The investigation has remained a major source of tension between Caracas and the international court.
Venezuela Has Challenged the Court Before
Venezuela has taken several steps against the ICC in recent months. In December 2025, the country's parliament moved to repeal the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC.
That move came after the court shut its office in Caracas, saying discussions with the Venezuelan government had produced no meaningful progress. Later, in March 2026, the ICC rejected Venezuela's complaint that US sanctions on the country amounted to crimes against humanity.
ICC Faces Leadership Crisis
Venezuela's announcement came on the same day that ICC member states voted to dismiss chief prosecutor Karim Khan over allegations of sexual assault. Khan has denied the allegations. His legal team said he plans to challenge the decision.
ICC Has Faced Global Political Pressure
Karim Khan drew international attention in 2024 after seeking arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza conflict.
After returning to office in 2025, US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the ICC and several of its judges in response to the court's actions. Neither the United States nor Israel is a member of the ICC.
The International Criminal Court prosecutes individuals accused of the world's most serious crimes, including war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.