Israel and Venezuela Deepen Ties After 17-Year Diplomatic Freeze

Israel and Venezuela have taken another step in normalizing relations, with Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon announcing a meeting with his Venezuelan counterpart, Coromoto Godoy Calderón. This follows an agreement several weeks ago to re-establish consular ties.

During their discussion, Danon and Calderón focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, resuming consular services, and discussing Israel's humanitarian aid to Venezuela following recent earthquakes. "Israel and Venezuela will continue to work to deepen their cooperation, both on the international stage and at the United Nations," Danon stated.

The renewed engagement includes a mechanism for providing consular services to citizens of both nations, marking the first official channel since diplomatic relations were severed in 2009. This move also encompasses continued cooperation in emergency relief and reconstruction efforts after the June 24 earthquakes, which saw an Israeli humanitarian delegation deployed for approximately one month.

Relations were initially cut in 2009 by then-President Hugo Chavez in protest of Israel's Operation Cast Lead in Gaza. Venezuela subsequently moved closer to Iran, a policy continued under Nicolas Maduro. The thaw began after Maduro's capture by the United States. In February, Venezuela sent its first crude oil shipment to Israel since 2020, and interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez publicly acknowledged Israel's post-earthquake aid in July.