Venezuelan Interim President Urges Israel to Extend Earthquake Aid Mission

Following a direct request from Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, and with approval from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel has agreed to extend its earthquake aid mission in Venezuela by an additional two weeks. The Israeli delegation has been working around the clock in Venezuela, where the death toll from the recent earthquake has surpassed 33,600.

The extension was confirmed after a meeting in Caracas between the Israeli aid team and President Rodriguez, preceded by a diplomatic call between Rodriguez and Sa'ar. Rodriguez formally requested the extension to allow Israeli experts to begin implementing a national reconstruction plan they developed. Despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries, Israel will assist in formulating a comprehensive recovery strategy for the earthquake-damaged areas.

The Israeli mission includes dozens of personnel from the Foreign Ministry, the Home Front Command, and the National Emergency Authority, working closely with local Venezuelan authorities to assess and map damaged buildings to facilitate the safe return of displaced residents. Additionally, a team of about 20 experts operates from Israel, analyzing field data to support the reconstruction plan. The mission has received significant attention and support from Venezuelan officials, including the interim president and senior government figures, as well as local media. The reconstruction plan has already been presented to Venezuela's Minister of Infrastructure and is expected to be shown soon to the interim president.