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The United States has welcomed Venezuela’s decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), while backing what it described as a new partnership with the Venezuelan government to challenge the court’s authority.
In a statement on Sunday, the U.S. government praised interim President Delcy Rodriguez and Venezuela for stepping away from the ICC, describing the move as part of wider American-led efforts to dismantle what it called a “corrupt and worthless” institution.
Washington has accused the ICC of political bias and selective enforcement, arguing that the court has failed to deliver results in its investigation into Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, which began in 2018.
“The so-called court has been ‘investigating’ Nicolas Maduro since 2018 with no result,” the statement said, adding that the ICC had instead directed its resources towards countries with “competent, independent judicial systems” that had not accepted the court’s jurisdiction.
The U.S. government further criticised the ICC’s operations, calling its actions “blatant overreach, political bias and selective enforcement.” It added that the court was “neither credible, independent, nor legitimate.”
Washington also linked Maduro’s legal troubles to actions taken under U.S. President Donald Trump’s leadership, saying the Venezuelan leader is now facing proceedings in a U.S. court over alleged crimes.
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and the efforts of brave American service members, Maduro is now facing justice in U.S. court for crimes he has committed,” the statement said.
The United States concluded by calling for a broader withdrawal from the ICC, urging member states to leave the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the court.
“It is time to dismantle the ICC,” the statement declared, as Washington continued its criticism of the international judicial body and its role in prosecuting alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The ICC has previously maintained that its investigations are based on legal mandates and independent judicial processes, rather than political considerations.
