Archive · 28 Jul 2026
Venezuela Withdraws from International Criminal Court
Venezuela has decided to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is a big court that deals with serious crimes.
The UN is worried because they think this will make it harder to hold people accountable for bad things that have happened in Venezuela.
The UN says Venezuela hasn't done enough to investigate these crimes.
Venezuela says the ICC is unfair.
The U.S. is happy about Venezuela's decision and thinks the ICC is not good.
The UN wants Venezuela to come back and work with them.
Venezuela announced its 'irrevocable' decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The UN mission on Venezuela expressed grave concern, stating the withdrawal undermines accountability and reinforces impunity.
Venezuela alleges a geographical bias within the ICC and has taken no meaningful action to investigate gross violations.
The ICC closed its office in Caracas in January 2025 due to a lack of cooperation from the Venezuelan government.
The U.S. welcomed Venezuela's decision, describing the ICC as corrupt and worthless.
- Who
- Venezuela's government, UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela, U.S. administration
- What
- Venezuela's withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC)
- When
- Announced on July 27
- Where
- Venezuela, International Criminal Court
- Why
- Venezuela alleges geographical bias in the ICC; the UN mission says it undermines accountability; the U.S. welcomes the decision.
UN Mission on Venezuela
Venezuelan Government and U.S.
Accountability and International Justice
UN Mission on Venezuela
The UN mission expresses grave concern over Venezuela's withdrawal, stating it undermines accountability and reinforces impunity for human rights violations.
Venezuelan Government and U.S.
Venezuela's government justifies its withdrawal by alleging a geographical bias within the ICC, and the U.S. welcomes the decision, describing the ICC as corrupt and worthless.
- Date of Withdrawal Announcement
- July 27
- UN Mission Formation Year
- 2019
- ICC Office Closure in Caracas
- January 2025
- Former Venezuelan President
- Nicolas Maduro
- Current Interim President
- Delcy Rodriguez
- U.S. Administration Ally
- Trump administration