Israel and Venezuela have announced that they had renewed consular relations 17 years after Caracas severed diplomatic ties with Israel when Tel Aviv invaded besieged Gaza in 2008-2009.
It also follows the United States' abduction of Venezuela's former leader Nicolas Maduro in a January military attack, with interim President Delcy Rodriguez now running the country.
"Following talks held in recent weeks and days between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia, Israel and Venezuela have agreed to renew consular relations," a statement from Israel's foreign ministry said.
"The talks resulted in an agreement to establish a coordination mechanism that will enable the provision of consular services to citizens of both countries," it added, noting the two nations "have not maintained diplomatic relations since 2009".
Colombia pivots towards Israel
Venezuela, together with Bolivia, broke diplomatic ties with Israel in January 2009 a few days after the start of an Israeli invasion in Gaza.
A joint statement by the governments of Israel and Venezuela on Tuesday said that the two countries agreed to "continue their bilateral technical cooperation stemming from the emergency response and reconstruction efforts following the double earthquake."
On Monday, Venezuela updated the toll from the quakes, putting the number of dead at 6,301 as rescue teams and family members continued to sift through the rubble in search of more victims.
The development comes as neighbouring Colombia has recognised Israel’s claim of sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, joining the US as the only other country to recognise Israel’s illegal annexation of the Syrian territory in 1981.
The UN recognises the region as a part of Syria, and UN chief Antonio Guterres has reiterated that stance, describing illegal Israeli occupation as "totally unacceptable".
Colombia’s government under then-President Gustavo Petro had severed diplomatic relations with Israel in May 2024 after months of tensions, with Petro saying he could not maintain ties with a genocidal government.
Bogota had also intervened in the genocide case against Israel, brought by South Africa before the International Court of Justice and supported by several other countries.
