July 27 - A United Nations independent fact-finding body on Venezuela said on Monday it was "gravely concerned" by the Venezuelan government's decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court and urged Caracas to reverse that decision and rejoin the court.
The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela, established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2019, said the government announced on Friday that it had made an "irrevocable" decision to leave the ICC, citing what it described as a "geographical bias" within the court.
In a statement, the mission argued that by formally exiting the ICC, Venezuela seeks to place itself beyond international processes meant to deliver accountability. The mission said the withdrawal "serves only to reinforce impunity for human rights violations."
The mission also said Venezuela has taken no meaningful action to investigate alleged gross human rights violations and international crimes committed over more than a decade. It reiterated its call for Venezuela to cooperate fully with international justice mechanisms and to rejoin the ICC.
The International Criminal Court itself in 2020 concluded there was a reasonable basis to believe that civilian officials, members of the armed forces and pro-government individuals had committed crimes against humanity in Venezuela since at least 2017. The mission referenced that determination in underscoring the need for accountability.
In January 2025, the ICC closed its office in Caracas, citing a lack of cooperation from the Venezuelan government at the time, which was led by former President Nicolas Maduro. The mission noted that the closure of the office reflected a breakdown in cooperation between Venezuelan authorities and the court.
The statement from the mission also pointed to recent political alignments in Caracas. It noted that Interim President Delcy Rodriguez has become a close ally of the Trump administration, which has expressed interest in dismantling the ICC. The United States on Friday welcomed Venezuela's decision to withdraw from the court, describing the ICC as "corrupt" and "worthless" in a statement following the exit.
What the mission is asking for
- The mission called on Venezuela to rejoin the ICC.
- It urged full cooperation with international justice mechanisms.
- It stressed the need for meaningful domestic investigations into alleged crimes.
The mission framed the withdrawal as a step that undermines mechanisms designed to ensure accountability and protect human rights, and it expressed concern about the broader implications for impunity in Venezuela.