Venezuela Announces Withdrawal from International Criminal Court Citing Bias

The Venezuelan government has officially notified the United Nations of its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), a move it attributes to perceived bias against nations in the Global South. Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia shared this development via social media on Friday, stating that the decision was made under the directive of interim President Delcy Rodriguez. This withdrawal is seen as part of a broader strategy to realign Venezuela's foreign policy, particularly in relation to the United States.

Plasencia articulated that Venezuela views the ICC's actions as indicative of a geographical bias, arguing that the court has disproportionately focused its investigations on African and Latin American nations, thereby neglecting issues pertinent to the Global South. He emphasized that this trend reflects a justice system that fails to apply its standards equitably, which, in turn, exacerbates inequalities among nations and undermines their rights to self-determination and sovereignty. The ICC had previously announced an investigation into potential crimes against humanity committed by the Venezuelan government during the violent protests in 2017, leading to the Venezuelan National Assembly's decision last December to withdraw from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC.