Israel and Venezuela restore consular relations after 17 years

Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez speaks during a press conference at Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, Venezuela on January 14, 2026. [Ivan McGregor – Anadolu Agency]

Israel and Venezuela have agreed to restore consular relations, 17 years after diplomatic ties were severed.

Venezuela, which cut diplomatic relations with Israel 17 years ago over Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, has historically been an ally of Iran. However, its government has moved closer to Washington since the United States detained President Nicolas Maduro last January.

Following Israel’s 2008-2009 offensive on Gaza, then-Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez strongly condemned Israel and decided to sever diplomatic ties with it.

According to a statement by Israel’s Foreign Ministry on X, the Israeli and Venezuelan governments said that, following an Israeli delegation’s visit to Venezuela after the 24 June earthquake, and talks between senior officials from both sides, the two countries had agreed to continue bilateral technical cooperation arising from emergency response and reconstruction efforts following the earthquake.

The two countries also agreed to establish a coordination mechanism to enable consular services to be provided to their respective citizens living in the other country.

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