Israeli, Venezuelan UN Envoys Meet as Diplomatic Relations Slowly Strengthen

Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon met with Venezuelan UN Ambassador Coromoto Godoy Calderón on Monday, marking another step in the rapidly warming relationship between Jerusalem and Caracas.

Danon said the two ambassadors discussed strengthening relations between the countries, renewing consular ties and Israel's humanitarian assistance to Venezuela following the earthquakes that struck the country in June.

“We discussed strengthening relations between our countries, renewing consular ties, and the Israeli assistance sent to Venezuela following the earthquake,” Danon wrote on social media.

“Israel and Venezuela will continue working to deepen our cooperation, both internationally and at the United Nations,” he added.

The meeting comes three weeks after Israel and Venezuela agreed to restore consular relations following talks between Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia. The agreement established a coordination mechanism to provide consular services to citizens of both countries. It created the first formal channel between Jerusalem and Caracas since Venezuela severed diplomatic relations with Israel in 2009.

The recent rapprochement grew partly out of Israel's response to the two major earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24. Israel sent Foreign Ministry and Home Front Command personnel to assist local authorities with structural assessments and recovery planning, and the mission continued for several weeks.

Relations between Israel and Venezuela had remained frozen since then-President Hugo Chávez cut ties during Operation Cast Lead in 2009. Caracas later developed close relations with Iran under Chávez and his successor, Nicolás Maduro.

That position began changing after Maduro was captured by U.S. forces earlier this year and interim President Delcy Rodríguez took power. Venezuela sent its first crude oil shipment to Israel since 2020 in February, while Rodríguez publicly praised Israeli assistance following the June earthquakes.

Monday's meeting suggests that the rapprochement is now moving beyond humanitarian and consular cooperation toward broader diplomatic coordination, including at the United Nations.