Venezuela Announces ICC Withdrawal

Venezuela has formally initiated its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, notifying United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres of its decision on Friday, July 24, 2026. The move, announced by Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia, accuses the Hague-based tribunal of systemic geographical bias against nations in Africa and Latin America and follows the completion of Venezuela's domestic legislative process to repeal the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the court.

Plasencia stated the withdrawal was conducted under instructions from Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and in accordance with the court's procedures. In a statement, he argued the ICC's work pattern reveals an international justice system that has been instrumentalized to deepen inequalities and disregard the sovereignty and right to self-determination of peoples in the Global South. He characterized the court's actions as a form of "lawfare" aimed at persecuting the Venezuelan people.

The ICC confirmed it had not yet received official notification directly from Venezuela but responded by expressing regret over any decision to depart from the collective effort to end impunity for serious...