Whether economic sanctions can amount to crimes against humanity seems to be an issue of first impression in the ICC. It is, however, the next case in a line of disputes attempting to extend crimes against humanity into new territories and factual scenarios. This Note argues that economic sanctions applied in peacetime, such as the sanctions the United States imposed on Venezuela, do not amount to crimes against humanity. In doing so, this Note also comments on the merits of the Venezuelan referral and its broader policy implications.
