U.S. Defense Secretary encourages countries in the Americas to withdraw from the International Criminal Court.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated on the 12th that the United States will reject the International Criminal Court's jurisdiction over military personnel and military actions from the U.S. and other countries, and urged countries participating in the Americas anti-drug trafficking coalition to withdraw from the court. During the meeting of the Americas anti-drug trafficking coalition held that day in Panama City, Austin defended U.S. military actions against so-called "drug trafficking terrorists" in Latin America, claiming that such actions are in accordance with the laws of armed conflict. He also asserted that the International Criminal Court's attempt to exercise jurisdiction over U.S. military personnel and military actions lacks "legal basis," and mentioned that members of the coalition should withdraw from the International Criminal Court. The United States is not a signatory to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The Trump administration had imposed sanctions on personnel related to the International Criminal Court.