ICC urges Chad, Venezuela to reconsider withdrawals

The International Criminal Court urged Chad and Venezuela on Friday, Aug. 7, to reconsider decisions to withdraw from the Hague-based court, saying the moves could weaken global efforts to end impunity.

“The presidency regrets these developments,” the court's leadership said. It called on both countries to remain parties to the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the ICC.

Venezuela announced its withdrawal on July 25, and Chad followed two days later. Both countries accused the ICC of bias in its investigations. Chad accused the court of focusing on African countries. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia said the court's actions showed “a demonstrated geographical bias” concentrated on African and Latin American countries.

The ICC is investigating alleged crimes against humanity committed during crackdowns on protesters in Venezuela since 2014. In December 2025, Venezuela's parliament took steps to repeal the Rome Statute after the tribunal closed its Caracas office.

The United States has also launched a diplomatic campaign against the ICC, accusing it of threatening Americans, promising new sanctions and urging other countries to quit. Relations between President Donald Trump's administration and the court are poor, with some judges already subject to US sanctions.

The military juntas ruling Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have also signalled they want to leave the ICC. The court tries individuals for war crimes and crimes against humanity.