Venezuela Announces Withdrawal from International Criminal Court

Caracas (ANTARA) - Venezuela announced on Friday its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), claiming the Hague-based tribunal exhibits a ‘geographical bias’ against Latin American and African countries.

Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia stated in a post on platform X that his country had informed United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of Venezuela’s ‘firm and irrevocable’ decision to end its participation in the Rome Statute and begin the definitive withdrawal process under Article 127.

Plasencia argued the court has disproportionately focused its work ‘to the detriment of Global South nations,’ perpetuating what he described as the persecution of the Venezuelan people and exacerbating inequality. He claimed the court’s actions demonstrate how an international justice system is used to ‘deepen inequalities among nations and ignore their right to self-determination and sovereignty.’

According to media reports, the ICC announced in 2021 that it would investigate possible crimes against humanity by the Venezuelan government during the crackdown on anti-government demonstrations in 2017. The National Assembly of Venezuela had already voted in December 2025 to withdraw from its commitments under the Rome Statute.

Foreign Minister Plasencia reaffirmed his country’s commitment to what he called true and equitable justice that respects the sovereignty and right of nations to self-determination.