Venezuela and the Israeli government agreed on August 11 to establish an official coordination mechanism to provide consular services for their respective citizens residing in each other’s countries when needed, and to continue bilateral technical cooperation in emergency response and recovery work after earthquakes.
This arrangement does not signify a full restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries but marks the establishment of the first official coordination channel since the break in relations in 2009.
In January 2009, after Israel launched a military operation in the Gaza Strip, former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez expelled the Israeli Ambassador to Venezuela and cut off diplomatic relations with Israel.
However, following the arrest and removal of then Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the US military on January 3 this year, the interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez gradually adjusted its foreign policy stance. The government not only distanced itself from its alliance with Iran but also strengthened ties with the United States and its ally, Israel.
The Venezuelan government stated that one of the backgrounds for the contact between the two countries was the occurrence of two strong earthquakes in Venezuela on June 24 (with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.59). Following the earthquakes, an Israeli humanitarian delegation visited Venezuela to provide assistance and support in rescue operations. Senior officials from both sides later engaged in discussions and ultimately agreed to establish a consular service coordination mechanism.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that this arrangement was reached after multiple rounds of discussions between Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia González.
Prior to the announcement of the agreement, Chief Rabbi Isaac Cohen of the Israelite Association of Venezuela had urged Plasencia to restore diplomatic relations with Israel.
Plasencia made a statement on X platform, indicating that after Israel dispatched a rescue team to Venezuela, “both sides agreed to continue technical cooperation on post-disaster emergency response and reconstruction work, as well as to provide consular services for their respective citizens residing in both countries.”
Subsequently, both the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Venezuelan government issued joint statements with the same content, stating that “both governments recognize the importance of the relationship between Israel and the Jewish community in Venezuela, which constitutes an important historical bridge of friendship between the two countries.”
Analysts believe that the new coordination mechanism may provide consular assistance to citizens of both countries in the future. Although full diplomatic relations have not yet been restored between the two sides, this arrangement is seen as a signal of the warming of relations between the two countries.
In recent times, some South American countries have also shown a shift in policy towards improving relations with Israel. Chile and Honduras had recalled their ambassadors to Israel for consultations during the Gaza conflict in 2023, but with the new governments in both countries coming into power, they have redeployed ambassadors to Israel in early August this year.
Additionally, after Colombian President Abelardo De la Espriella took office on August 7, the Colombian government announced on August 10 its recognition of Israel’s sovereignty claim over the Golan Heights. This policy differs from the stance towards Israel during the term of former president Gustavo Petro.
Argentinian President Javier Milei announced last year that Argentina plans to relocate its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem in 2026. This plan aligns with the decision made by the United States in 2018 to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.