Israel and Venezuela restore consular relations after 17 years

Israel and Venezuela have announced the restoration of consular relations, ending a 17-year diplomatic freeze. The move comes after a humanitarian aid delegation from Israel visited Venezuela following devastating earthquakes in June. The rapprochement also follows the overthrow and capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. operation.

According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the understanding was reached after recent talks between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and his Venezuelan counterpart Félix Plasencia. The agreement establishes a coordination mechanism to provide consular services to citizens of both nations. Venezuela had severed diplomatic ties with Israel in January 2009 under then-President Hugo Chávez, in response to an Israeli military offensive in Gaza.

Both governments emphasized the importance of the relationship between Israel and the Jewish community in Venezuela, viewing it as a bridge of historical friendship. Plasencia recently met with the chief rabbi of the Venezuelan Israelite Association, who had requested the restoration of relations to address the needs of the Jewish community. Approximately 6,000 Jews reside in Venezuela, according to the World Jewish Congress. The two countries also agreed to continue bilateral technical cooperation related to emergency response and reconstruction efforts following the recent earthquakes.