South America's Pendulum: Israel's New Opportunity – and the Trap

Israel and Venezuela announced the establishment of a coordination mechanism for consular services, the first step in an official channel since 2009. Within less than a year, relations were renewed with Bolivia, Chile, and Colombia, which recognized Israel's sovereignty over the Golan. Experts warn: the political pendulum in Latin America may swing back, and the rapprochement with Venezuela is not yet a break from Iran.

Weeks after the earthquakes in Venezuela, an Israeli aid delegation landed, and this symbolic step matured into the announcement of a consular coordination mechanism between the countries – the first official channel since 2009. The interim government in Caracas asked to expand the activity and help formulate a national reconstruction plan. However, there is still no full renewal of relations, no exchange of ambassadors has been announced, and no embassies have been opened. Within less than a year, Israel's relations with Bolivia were renewed, relations with Chile were restored, and Colombia almost completely reversed its moves against Israel and even recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Argentina under Milei and Paraguay under Peña are deepening the alliance, and Ecuador is seeking aid in the fight against crime. Amir Ofek from the Foreign Ministry emphasizes that the rapprochement was not born on the day of the change of governments, but was built over years through ties with civil society and elected officials. Dr. Daniel Weiner from the Hebrew University sees this as part of a broader shift, starting from Bolsonaro, through Bukele and Milei, but warns that the pendulum is expected to swing back. In Venezuela, the populist left is still in power, and the change stems from constraints and the need to move closer to the West, not from ideology. Israel can offer intelligence, cyber, reconstruction, agriculture, and water technologies, but distancing from Iranian infrastructure will be a central test.