Venezuela withdraws from the International Criminal Court, citing 'bias' against the Global South

On July 24, 2026, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia announced the country's irrevocable decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), acting on instructions from interim President Delcy Rodríguez. The government cites systemic geographical bias against the Global South as its justification. While the withdrawal takes one year to become effective under Article 127 of the Rome Statute, the ICC maintains that its ongoing investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed in Venezuela since 2017 remains active and legally unaffected.

Venezuela ICC withdrawal announcement

• ▪Venezuelan Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia announced on July 24, 2026, that Venezuela has formally notified the United Nations of its irrevocable decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court.
• ▪Interim President Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed power after United States forces removed Nicolás Maduro in January 2026, instructed the withdrawal from the International Criminal Court.

Rome Statute withdrawal timeline

• ▪Under Article 127 of the Rome Statute, a member state's withdrawal from the International Criminal Court takes effect exactly one year after the United Nations receives official notification.
• ▪Venezuela's National Assembly voted in December 2025 to repeal the law ratifying the Rome Statute, initiating the legislative process to withdraw from the court.

ICC jurisdiction over past crimes

• ▪The International Criminal Court retains full legal jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute alleged crimes committed while Venezuela was a member state, despite its withdrawal.
• ▪A finalized withdrawal ends Venezuela's legal obligation to cooperate with the International Criminal Court, including the duty to arrest and surrender suspects within its territory.

Crimes against humanity investigation

• ▪The International Criminal Court has been investigating alleged crimes against humanity, including torture, rape, and persecution of political opponents in Venezuela, dating back to at least 2017.
• ▪The International Criminal Court closed its Caracas field office in January 2025, citing a complete lack of cooperation and real progress from Venezuelan authorities.

Global South bias claims

• ▪Acting President Delcy Rodríguez stated that the International Criminal Court has been heavily politicized and instrumentalized as a weapon to attack the Venezuelan people and state.
• ▪Venezuelan officials justified the withdrawal by accusing the International Criminal Court of geographical bias, claiming it disproportionately targets nations in Africa and Latin America.

International accountability responses

• ▪The withdrawal announcement coincided with a vote by International Criminal Court member states on July 24, 2026, to dismiss Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan over sexual misconduct allegations.
• ▪The International Criminal Court stated it regrets any decision to depart from collective efforts to end impunity for serious international crimes.

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