Relationship dossier
Israel
Venezuela
Relationship assessment
A prolonged diplomatic rupture and opposing positions on Venezuela’s political leadership shape strained Israel–Venezuela relations.
Israel toward Venezuela
-30Israel recognized Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim president in 2019, opposing Nicolás Maduro’s claim to the presidency and adding to political tensions.
Venezuela toward Israel
-50Venezuela severed diplomatic relations with Israel in 2009 during the Gaza war, following strong condemnation of Israeli military operations. The rupture reflected a sharply adversarial Venezuelan government position toward Israel.
Overall relationship
-45The relationship is shaped by Venezuela’s 2009 severance of diplomatic ties and Israel’s 2019 recognition of Guaidó. These politically consequential actions, alongside sharp disagreements over Israel’s military operations in Gaza, define a strained bilateral relationship; the extent of other direct cooperation is unclear.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Relations have been marked by sustained political hostility and a prolonged diplomatic rupture. Venezuela severed diplomatic relations with Israel in 2009 during the Gaza war, and Israel recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim president in 2019. These actions reflect serious bilateral conflict, although the scope of other direct government dealings is unclear.
Areas of tension
- Venezuela’s condemnation of Israeli military operations in Gaza and its 2009 severance of diplomatic relations.
- Israel’s recognition of Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim president in 2019.
Key developments
Venezuela severed diplomatic relations with Israel during the Gaza war.
Israel recognized Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim president.
Major uncertainties
- The extent of direct government contact after the diplomatic rupture is unclear.
- The scope and practical effects of any remaining bilateral arrangements are unclear.