Israel and Venezuela renew consular ties after 17 years of no diplomacy

Israel and Venezuela have announced the restoration of consular relations, ending a 17-year period during which formal diplomatic ties between the two nations were severed. The agreement was confirmed by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who noted that the countries will establish a coordination mechanism to facilitate the provision of services.

The development follows a period of increased engagement initiated earlier this year, notably when Israel dispatched an aid and disaster response delegation to Venezuela in June to assist following twin earthquakes. The new framework aims to formalize the channels of communication between the two governments.