By Washington Office of Latin America. United States of America
Venezuela is the only country in Latin America with an open investigation before the International Criminal Court (ICC). The case has been the object of disinformation on behalf of Venezuelan authorities and the language surrounding the ICC can at times be confusing for those who are unfamiliar with international law. The Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) believes that it is important to bring this process closer to the international community, to decision-makers in Washington D.C., to Venezuelans, and to those who follow what is happening in Venezuela. That is why, through a series of questions and answers written in plain English, we are bringing you an easy-to-understand publication on the ICC investigation on Venezuela.
The following sections describe what the International Criminal Court (ICC) is and answers each of the following questions:
What is the International Criminal Court?
Why did the ICC initiate an investigation on Venezuela and what is the current status of the process?
What decision did the Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court adopt on May 4, 2023?
The Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement about the decision of the Pre-Trial Chamber of May 4, 2023. Why is that statement false?
Why did the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber authorize the Prosecutor to resume his investigation on Venezuela?
What is actually happening then?
What does the recent visit of ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan to Venezuela and the ICC’s decision to open an office there mean?
What are the victims and human rights organizations working on these cases doing?
Washington Office of Latin America. United States of America 2023. 15p.