Venezuela faces landmark ICC investigation over alleged crimes against humanity

Inquiry opened into claims of torture and extrajudicial killings under Maduro's rule, a first for a Latin American country

The international criminal court (ICC) is opening a formal investigation into allegations of torture and extrajudicial killings committed by Venezuelan security forces under President Nicolas Maduro's rule, the first time a country in Latin America is facing scrutiny for possible crimes against humanity from the court.

The opening of the probe was announced Wednesday by ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan at the end of a three-day trip to Caracas.