Israel and Venezuela Restore Consular Ties After 17 Years Amid Earthquake Aid Cooperation

Israel and Venezuela have agreed to renew consular relations after a 17-year diplomatic break, following talks between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia. The agreement establishes an official coordination mechanism to provide consular services to citizens of both countries, marking the first formal channel since diplomatic ties were severed in 2009. Although this does not constitute a full diplomatic restoration, it enables handling consular matters despite the absence of full diplomatic relations.

The renewed cooperation also stems from joint efforts in response to the earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24. An Israeli aid delegation, led by the Foreign Ministry and the Home Front Command, provided professional assistance to local authorities during emergency and recovery operations. This collaboration has created a practical cooperation channel, which both countries agreed to continue beyond the initial aid phase.

The joint statement emphasized the importance of the relationship between Israel and the Jewish community residing in Venezuela. The resumption of consular ties is expected to facilitate more official and organized support for community-related issues. While this development is a significant political step from South America, there is currently no announcement regarding the full restoration of diplomatic relations between Jerusalem and Caracas.