Israel and Venezuela announced on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, that they have renewed consular relations 17 years after severing diplomatic ties. The two countries had not maintained diplomatic relations since 2009, when Venezuela, alongside Bolivia, broke ties with Israel shortly after the start of an Israeli military offensive in Gaza.
The renewal follows recent talks between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia. According to a statement from Israel’s foreign ministry, these discussions led to an agreement to establish a coordination mechanism to provide consular services to citizens of both nations.
This diplomatic development comes after Israel sent an aid and disaster response delegation to Venezuela in June 2026, following devastating twin earthquakes that resulted in thousands of deaths. It also follows significant political changes in Venezuela, including the January 2026 military raid by the United States that toppled former leader Nicolas Maduro, with interim President Delcy Rodriguez now governing under strong pressure from US President Donald Trump.
Sources:
- South China Morning Post World, "Israel and Venezuela renew consular ties after 17 years of no diplomacy", August 11, 2026
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