Venezuela Has Partially Restored Diplomatic Relations With Israel Despite Its Genocide In Gaza
The move does not fully restore diplomatic relations but creates an official channel between the two countries for the first time since 2009.
Venezuela and Israel have agreed to restore consular services for the first time in 17 years despite Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
Venezuela cut diplomatic relations with Israel in 2009, when then-Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez condemned Israel’s 2008 –2009 offensive on Gaza, which killed more than 1,000 Palestinians, according to Human Rights Watch, and expelled Israeli diplomats.
Venezuela remained a strong critic of Israel under Chávez’s successor Nicolás Maduro and maintained close relations with Iran, which has long been one of Israel’s regional rivals.
However, after the US captured Maduro in January, Venezuela began realigning its foreign relations, including strengthening ties with Israel after years of close relations with Iran, under interim President Delcy Rodríguez.
On Tuesday, Aug. 11, Venezuela announced it is restoring consular relations with Israel, which typically help provide joint services to citizens and travelers, marking a major shift in Venezuela’s foreign policy.
The move does not fully restore diplomatic relations but creates an official channel between the two countries for the first time since 2009.
It came after Israel sent a humanitarian delegation to Venezuela following the twin earthquakes that struck the country on June 24.
According to a statement by Israel’s foreign ministry on X, the two governments said they had agreed to continue bilateral technical cooperation stemming from emergency response and reconstruction efforts after the earthquakes.
Venezuela’s move follows a broader shift in Israel’s relations with Latin America.
Israel’s ties with several countries in the region were strained due to its genocide in Gaza, with governments including Chile and Honduras withdrawing their ambassadors.
But both countries restored their ambassadors to Israel earlier in August, while the election of several right-wing leaders in Latin America also led to countries strengthening ties with Israel.
Argentina’s far-right president Javier Milei also announced in 2025 that Argentina would move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, following the US’ decision to relocate its embassy there in 2018.
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Cherry Mohamed
Sofia Hou
Cherry Mohamed
