The UN Fact-Finding Mission expressed “grave concern” over the withdrawal, saying the decision raises serious questions about Venezuela’s commitment to accountability for human right abuses. The mission said Venezuela should continue cooperating with the ICC while strengthening credible domestic investigations into alleged crimes against humanity. The ICC has been investigating allegations of crimes against humanity in Venezuela since 2021. Although the withdrawal process will take one year to become effective pursuant to Article 127 of the Rome Statute, the court can continue investigating crimes that occurred while Venezuela was still a party to the Rome Statute. Recently, countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have withdrawn from the Rome Statute over claims that it is a neo-colonialist institution that was interfering in their domestic affairs.