Archive · 12 Dec 2025
Venezuela Moves to Withdraw from ICC
Venezuela's national assembly voted to repeal a law that made the country a part of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
This means Venezuela is planning to leave the ICC.
The ICC has been investigating human rights abuses in Venezuela since 2020.
The Venezuelan government says the ICC is not helpful and acts in the interests of other countries.
The opposition and human rights groups say the government has committed abuses, including torture and killings.
The ICC recently closed its office in Venezuela because it didn't see any progress.
The president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, is expected to sign the repeal soon.
Venezuela's national assembly unanimously voted to repeal the law ratifying the Rome Statute, leading to withdrawal from the ICC.
The ICC has been investigating human rights abuses in Venezuela since 2020, with a formal investigation starting in 2021.
The Venezuelan government accuses the ICC of acting in the interests of 'North American imperialism' and claims the court is useless.
The opposition and human rights groups allege that security forces committed abuses during 2017 protests, including torture and arbitrary detentions.
The ICC closed its Caracas office in June 2023, citing a lack of 'real progress' by the Maduro administration.
- Who
- Venezuela's national assembly, President Nicolas Maduro, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, Venezuelan opposition and human rights groups
- What
- Repeal of the law ratifying the Rome Statute, paving the way for withdrawal from the ICC
- When
- December 11, 2023
- Where
- Venezuela
- Why
- ICC's investigation into human rights abuses and the closure of its Caracas office due to lack of progress
- Country
- Venezuela
- Action
- Repeal of Rome Statute ratification
- ICC Investigation
- Human rights abuses since 2017
- ICC Office Closure
- June 2023
- ICC Membership Start
- 2000
- ICC Prosecutor's Statement
- Reasonable basis for crimes against humanity
- Opposition Claims
- Torture, arbitrary detentions, and abuses by security forces
- Deaths in 2017 Protests
- More than 120