Venezuela and Israel agree to re-establish consular relations after 17-year break

Venezuela and Israel announced an agreement to establish a coordination mechanism for providing consular services to their citizens, marking the resumption of bilateral ties 17 years after diplomatic relations were severed. The decision stems from recent discussions between Venezuelan Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia González and his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa’ar.

Both governments highlighted the significance of the "bond between the State of Israel and the Jewish community residing in Venezuela," viewing it as a historical bridge of friendship. However, reports clarified that this is not a full restoration of diplomatic relations but a technical and consular channel focused on citizen assistance and cooperation during emergencies, specifically in response to recent seismic events.

The rapprochement occurred after a visit by an Israeli humanitarian delegation, comprising structural engineers and disaster response experts, to Venezuela following powerful earthquakes on June 24. The delegation assisted in structural assessments and contingency planning. The interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, publicly expressed gratitude for this assistance in July. The agreement also allows for the continuation of bilateral technical cooperation related to emergency and recovery efforts.

This resumption of consular contacts is part of a shift in Venezuelan foreign policy, aligning more closely with U.S. interests and distancing Caracas from Iran. This new dynamic began after the reported capture and ousting of Nicolás Maduro on January 3 during a U.S. special forces operation. Rodríguez is now leading the country under significant pressure from President Donald Trump, who has sought to work closely with her to stabilize the nation. Analysts anticipate this process could eventually lead to the full restoration of diplomatic relations.

Bilateral relations had been interrupted since January 15, 2009, when then-President Hugo Chávez ordered a complete break and expelled the Israeli ambassador in solidarity with Palestine and in protest of Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip.