International Criminal Court opens office in Venezuela 

The International Criminal Court opened an office in Venezuela this week amid a probe for possible crimes against humanity in the South American country. 

The opening of the office was announced after ICC prosecutor Karim Khan met with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Through its new office in Venezuela, the ICC hopes to work “more closely” with Venezuelan officials and the general population to guarantee “more justice” in the country, Khan said during the opening event. 

“Now we are going to be able to come to Venezuela more often and work more closely, so that we can help more with technical assistance, with training so that Venezuela can do more to fulfill its obligations under the Rome Statute,” said Khan, sitting next to Maduro in the presidential palace, in Caracas.

No further details about the operation or the office's staff were shared. 

"I am sure that this office will add positive practices… It will surely have a very favorable impact," Maduro said.

In addition to the establishment of the office, the Court's specialists will be able to support Venezuela carry out judicial reforms” to guarantee that there is more justice, more responsibility, and sustainable peace,” Khan added. 

The ICC announced in November 2021 a preliminary investigation into crimes against humanity committed by the Maduro regime since 2017. As part of the investigation, Khan announced that the ICC would open an office in Caracas in April 2022.

Maduro, at the time, said he respected Khan’s decision but did not share it, reported Reuters.  

"We have had a frank exchange," Khan said at the time, adding that Maduro had agreed that "the ICC prosecutor can open an office in Caracas. It is a very important, very significant step."

Last month, around 9,000 individuals and several legal entities presented allegations and other documentation before the International Criminal Court (ICC) reporting crimes committed by the dictatorship. 

According to the lawyer that represents 652 of those cases, Juan Carlos Gutierrez, both the Penal Code and the Venezuelan judicial system lack any "security and credibility" to protect the victims.