Israel and Venezuela have renewed consular relations after a 17-year diplomatic break, according to a joint announcement issued by both governments on Tuesday. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia agreed to restore ties following talks in recent weeks, establishing a coordination mechanism to deliver consular services to citizens of both countries, Sa’ar’s office said.
Historical Break and 2009 Severance of Ties
Venezuela previously severed diplomatic ties with Israel in 2009 under then-president Hugo Chávez. That break occurred amid deteriorating relations and a few days after the start of an IDF operation in the Gaza Strip.
Geopolitical Shifts Under Delcy Rodríguez
The renewal of consular ties marks a sharp change in tone from Caracas following a significant shift in political leadership. Delcy Rodríguez was installed as the country’s president after the United States captured the previous leader, Nicolás Maduro, in January. Following that transition, Sa’ar expressed hope for renewed ties, welcoming the removal of Maduro and stating an ambition for friendly relations between the states.
Humanitarian Assistance and Earthquake Recovery
Relations warmed significantly after Israel dispatched an aid delegation to Venezuela following a double earthquake in June. The Israeli delegation provided professional assistance to local emergency response and recovery efforts. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted in a video message last month that the humanitarian mission contributed directly to rebuilding relations with Caracas, telling the delegation that they were showing the Venezuelan people and government the true face of the State of Israel. Both governments confirmed they have now agreed to continue bilateral technical cooperation stemming from those earthquake reconstruction efforts.
Ties With the Jewish Community
The joint statement issued by Venezuela and echoed by Israel’s Foreign Ministry emphasized the cultural and historic importance of the agreement. “Both governments recognize the importance of the relationship between the State of Israel and the Jewish community in Venezuela, which constitutes an important historic bridge of friendship between the two countries,” the government statement declared.
