Unexpected thaw? Israel and Venezuela unveil joint agreement

After a 17-year hiatus, Israel and Venezuela have reestablished consular relations and agreed to establish an official coordination channel between the two nations, according to a joint announcement on Tuesday. This marks the first time diplomatic ties between the two countries have been rekindled since 2009.

The renewal of consular relations comes following talks between Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Venezuela's Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia. The two sides have agreed to establish a coordination mechanism that will facilitate consular services for citizens of both countries.

The statement also highlighted the significance of ties between Israel and Venezuela's Jewish community. In addition to restoring consular relations, the pair also agreed to continue cooperation on emergency response and recovery efforts following the massive earthquake that affected Venezuela. An Israeli delegation was deployed to the country in June, providing assistance to thousands of Venezuelans returning to their homes.

The receipt of Israeli aid stands in stark contrast to the complete cut-off in relations between the two nations that had been in place since 2009. Following the earthquake, officials estimated that at least 5,000 people had lost their lives.