Israel and Venezuela restore consular services after 17-year diplomatic break

Venezuela and Israel announced the restoration of official diplomatic relations after 17 years of severed ties, agreeing to establish a mechanism for consular services. The rapprochement comes under acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez, who has realigned Venezuela towards the US since taking office in January, following the US abduction and imprisonment of then-President Nicolas Maduro. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that the two countries had "agreed to establish a coordination mechanism that will enable the provision of consular services to citizens of both countries." A similar statement was posted by Venezuela's foreign minister, Felix Plasencia Gonzalez. Venezuela first severed ties in 2009 under leftist President Hugo Chavez in response to mass civilian casualties during Israel's war on Gaza. Official relations remained frozen under Chavez's successor, Maduro, who deepened ties with the Palestinian Authority and Iran. The announcement follows months of unofficial ties since Maduro's abduction, including reports of Venezuelan oil being shipped to Israel for the first time in decades. Israel also provided relief assistance after a devastating earthquake hit Venezuela in June. Both nations touted the "importance of the connection between the State of Israel and the Jewish community of Venezuela," which numbers around 6,000. The move coincides with a wave of support for Israel from Latin American states, including Colombia recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and Honduras returning its ambassador to Israel.