Venezuela severed diplomatic relations with Israel in 2009 following an Israeli attack on Gaza Strip. The two countries have now agreed to restore communication channels through an agreement made in a joint statement.
In the joint statement, both sides acknowledged "the importance of relations between Israel and the Jewish community residing in Venezuela," describing it as "an important bridge for historical friendship between the two countries." They also agreed to continue bilateral technical cooperation stemming from emergency response efforts and post-earthquake reconstruction.
Venezuela has reported more than 6,300 deaths from two earthquakes, with search and rescue efforts for missing persons under the rubble still ongoing. The agreement was preceded around two months ago by the dispatch of an Israeli delegation to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
According to Israel's Foreign Ministry, the agreement resulted from talks between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia. The agreement creates a coordination mechanism allowing the provision of consular services to citizens of both parties. Israel affirmed that the two countries have had no diplomatic relations since 2009.
This development occurred several months after the United States administration carried out a military operation that resulted in the detention of former President Nicolás Maduro in January, allowing his former vice president, Diosdado Cabello, to assume interim power amid pressure from Washington. The development coincides with an apparent warming of relations between Caracas and the American administration.
