Hegseth Pressures Latin America to Abandon International Criminal Court

Hegseth’s address to the coalition of right-wing governments framed the ICC as a threat to national sovereignty and constitutional mandates. While providing no evidence, he characterized the court as a tool of the 'international left' designed to undermine global anti-terrorism efforts. This rhetoric arrives as the administration expands its aggressive posture toward the Hague-based institution, which has previously issued arrest warrants for Israeli leadership regarding actions in Gaza.

Legal experts and former Judge Advocate General Corps attorneys warn that the administration’s own operations may invite scrutiny. Specifically, critics point to U.S. naval strikes against vessels suspected of drug smuggling in the Caribbean and Pacific, which have resulted in over 220 deaths in 11 months. Reports indicate that many victims were local fishers with no connection to trafficking. Furthermore, concerns persist regarding Hegseth's stated disregard for traditional rules of engagement in Iran, where airstrikes have targeted civilian infrastructure, including a school in Minab.

The Campaign Against the Tribunal

Beyond diplomatic pressure, the administration has moved to systematically disable the court. In February 2025, an executive order declared a national emergency regarding the ICC, authorizing sanctions against staff involved in investigations into the United States or Israel. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has publicly committed to a campaign to dismantle the tribunal’s operations. This effort mirrors the long-standing hostility codified in the 2002 American Service Members’ Protection Act, which authorizes military intervention to secure the release of U.S. personnel detained by the court. While nations such as Chad and Venezuela have signaled intent to withdraw, the ICC’s Assembly of States Parties continues to warn that such departures erode global accountability.