Israel and Venezuela announce they are restoring official diplomatic relations and consular services after 17 years of severed ties. In mutual statements posted on X, Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar and Venezuela’s foreign minister Felix Plasencia Gonzalez say the governments will set up a coordination mechanism to provide consular services to citizens of both countries.
The break in relations dates to 2009, when Venezuela severed consular links with Israel under President Hugo Chávez in response to civilian casualties during Israel’s Gaza war at the time. Under Chávez and later President Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela deepens ties with the Palestinian Authority and Iran, and relations with Israel remain largely frozen for decades. Multiple outlets also note that humanitarian contact followed a major double earthquake in Venezuela in June, with Israel providing relief and assistance.
Outlets differ most on the political interpretation of why the shift happens. One outlet frames it as part of a broader realignment by Venezuela’s interim leadership toward the United States following Maduro’s removal in January, while other coverage focuses on the diplomatic and practical steps—such as consular coordination—without detailing wider claims. Separately, several reports mention Colombia’s move to recognise Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights as occurring the same day as the announcement.
