Dutch Ambassador-designate presents credentials in Venezuela

Carmen Gonsalves, the designated ambassador of the Netherlands to Venezuela, has presented her credentials to the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry, according to Venezuelan Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia. The ceremony took place at the Foreign Ministry in Caracas, marking a step toward Gonsalves' formal accreditation as the Dutch diplomatic representative.

Gonsalves previously served as the Dutch chargé d'affaires in Venezuela since December 2024. Plasencia expressed gratitude via X for the Netherlands' support and technical cooperation following a powerful double earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24, registering magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5.

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The delivery took place at the headquarters of the Foreign Ministry, in Caracas, as part of the procedure prior to the formal accreditation of Gonsalves as diplomatic representative of the Netherlands in Venezuela.

Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their joint work agenda, highlighting the historical relationship between Venezuela and the Netherlands. Diplomatic relations between the two countries experienced tension in 2024 after opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia sought refuge in the Dutch chargé d'affaires' residence during a post-election crisis, remaining there for over a month before going into exile in Spain. At the time, Venezuela's government issued a formal complaint to the Dutch chargé d'affaires, Robert Schuddeboom, for allegedly concealing González Urrutia's presence.

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Thank you for the support and technical cooperation of the Dutch Government after the double earthquake, of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, registered in Venezuela last June 24.