Chile and Venezuela formalize the restart of their consular relations

The governments of Chile and Venezuela formalized this Thursday the restart of their consular relations and are moving “towards the progressive normalization of ties between both countries” following the 2024 rupture, after the administration of former Chilean President Gabriel Boric (2022-2026) questioned the transparency of the Venezuelan elections.

For his part, the Director General of Consular Affairs, Immigration and Chileans Abroad, Hernán Núñez, met in Caracas with the Deputy Minister for Latin America of Venezuela, Mauricio Rodríguez, with whom he exchanged diplomatic notes that formalize the re-establishment of consular relations between both countries.

“Today marks a milestone in relations between Chile and Venezuela. This will allow for ensuring protection and services for the citizens of both countries and the beginning of a new stage, through constructive dialogue, to advance on issues we are interested in deepening, for the well-being of our peoples and the region,” valued the Chilean Foreign Minister, Francisco Pérez Mackenna.

The origin of the breakdown of relations

Chilean President José Antonio Kast has underscored the importance of re-establishing bilateral relations with the Caribbean country to carry out his plan for the expulsion of irregular immigrants on flights to Caracas, one of his main campaign promises.

According to the local press, there are more than 75,000 pending deportation orders, of which more than half correspond to Venezuelan citizens.

The breakdown of relations between Chile and Venezuela led to the total withdrawal of Venezuelan diplomatic personnel in Chile and the demand for Chilean officials to leave Caracas, ordered by the deposed president Nicolás Maduro (2013-2026), currently imprisoned in the United States.

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The decision affected hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan citizens in the southern country and has complicated cooperation and security mechanisms between both nations.

According to official figures, more than 700,000 Venezuelans live in Chile, while there are nearly 25,000 Chileans in Venezuela.