US Secretary of State Mark Rubio announced the launch of a large-scale campaign to liquidate the International Criminal Court (ICC).
He made the statement during a briefing at the State Department. According to Rubio, Washington views the ICC as an illegitimate body that oversteps its authority and is being used for political purposes against the United States and its allies.
Washington intends to take a series of steps aimed at completely halting the activities of the ICC. In particular, the US has threatened its allies and partners with a reduction or complete cessation of financial and military assistance if they continue to support the International Criminal Court.
“We will not tolerate any international institution threatening the sovereignty of the United States or our partners. Those who continue to support this court must be prepared for the consequences,” Rubio emphasized.
Tensions between the US and the ICC have escalated in recent years following the court’s attempts to investigate the actions of American military personnel and high-ranking officials from allied countries. Washington has traditionally refused to recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction over its citizens and has repeatedly imposed sanctions on court staff.