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Venezuela and Israel have restored consular relations, 17 years after Caracas cut ties.

Getting into it: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia announced the deal Tuesday in matching statements, saying talks in recent weeks produced an agreement to set up a coordination mechanism for providing consular services to citizens living in the other country. Both governments said they recognize “the importance of the relationship between the State of Israel and the Jewish community in Venezuela, which constitutes an important historic bridge of friendship between the two countries.” The statements also committed both sides to continuing technical cooperation stemming from the earthquake response.

This is a step short of full diplomatic relations. Consular ties cover services for citizens and travelers, and the arrangement involves an exchange of diplomatic notes and consulates general in both capitals rather than embassies.

The opening in resuming diplomatic relations came through disaster relief. Twin earthquakes hit Venezuela on June 24, killing more than 6,000 people, and Israel sent an official aid delegation from the Foreign Ministry and the IDF, while Israeli organizations including ZAKA, NATAN and IsraAID deployed separately. Netanyahu said last month that the mission was rebuilding both ruins and relations, telling the delegation they were showing Venezuelans the true face of Israel.

This all comes as there have been indications that Israel-Venezuela relations are warming. Since the US captured Maduro in January and Delcy Rodríguez took over as acting president, Venezuelan oil has been shipped to Israel for the first time since 2020.