Venezuela and Israel restore consular relations after 17-year break

Venezuela and Israel have agreed to restore consular relations after a 17-year diplomatic break initiated in 2009. The breakthrough follows a June 2026 Israeli earthquake relief mission to Venezuela, which suffered 6,301 deaths. The diplomatic warming reflects a major geopolitical realignment under Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who assumed power after a US military raid captured Nicolas Maduro in January 2026, shifting Caracas away from Iran and Cuba toward US-allied nations.

Venezuela-Israel consular relations restoration

• ▪Venezuela and Israel had previously severed diplomatic relations in January 2009 following an Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
• ▪Israel and Venezuela announced on August 11, 2026, that they agreed to restore consular relations, establishing a coordination mechanism to provide consular services to citizens of both countries.

Delcy Rodriguez interim presidency

• ▪In July 2026, Venezuela announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, citing alleged bias against the Global South.
• ▪Interim President Delcy Rodriguez assumed leadership of Venezuela following the January 2026 removal of Nicolas Maduro, operating under strong pressure from US President Donald Trump.

Israeli earthquake aid to Venezuela

• ▪On August 10, 2026, Venezuela updated the death toll from the June 2026 twin earthquakes to 6,301 victims.
• ▪Israel sent an aid and disaster response delegation to Venezuela in June 2026 following devastating twin earthquakes that left thousands dead.

Latin America-Israel diplomatic shifts

• ▪Colombia's right-wing President Abelardo de la Espriella recognized Israel's claim of sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights upon taking office in August 2026.
• ▪Chile and Honduras restored their ambassadors to Israel in August 2026, reversing previous withdrawals made during the war in Gaza.

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