Israel Restores Consular Ties with Venezuela Amid Latin America’s Pro-Israel Shift

Israel and Venezuela announced the renewal of consular relations last week, marking a significant diplomatic development following the fall of Nicolás Maduro’s regime and a devastating earthquake in Venezuela. The restoration comes after prolonged talks between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia, and reflects Venezuela’s shift from an Iranian-aligned stance to a more pro-Western, pro-Israel orientation under President Delcy Rodríguez.

The political change in Venezuela, triggered by the U.S.-led capture of Maduro and his transfer to New York in early January, opened new diplomatic opportunities for Israel. Sa’ar quickly leveraged the aftermath of the earthquake, which reportedly killed around 10,000 people, by sending an Israeli aid delegation to assist with disaster relief. This delegation met with President Rodríguez and continues to operate in Venezuela, fostering positive political energy and support from the local Jewish community.

The renewed consular ties establish mechanisms for coordinating civil services between the two countries and extend Israeli aid for earthquake recovery. While the relationship remains in early stages, the move is seen as a major geopolitical shift, reducing Iranian influence in Latin America and aligning Venezuela closer to Israel and the U.S.

This development is part of a broader rightward political trend across Latin America over the past two years, with countries like Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Panama strengthening ties with Israel. Colombia recently became the first country after the U.S. to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Israeli Foreign Minister Sa’ar has prioritized Latin America in 2026, engaging with regional leaders to deepen these ties.

However, Brazil remains an outlier under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose administration maintains strained relations with Israel. Lula faces a tough re-election battle in October against pro-Israel Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. The regional rightward shift is driven by dissatisfaction with economic and security conditions and supported by U.S. backing for conservative candidates.

Summary: Israel and Venezuela have renewed consular relations following Maduro’s ousting and a major earthquake, reflecting Venezuela’s pivot away from Iran and Latin America’s growing pro-Israel alignment. Israeli aid efforts and diplomatic engagement continue amid a regional rightward political wave, though Brazil remains a notable exception.