Venezuela
Venezuela is a South American nation undergoing a profound geopolitical shift following the 2026 deposition of Nicolás Maduro. Long an Iranian ally and critic of Israel, the country has recently transitioned toward unprecedented military coordination with the United States and is exploring the restoration of diplomatic ties with Jerusalem while managing a catastrophic earthquake recovery.
Venezuela's strategic orientation has undergone a dramatic transformation in 2026. For decades, under the 'Bolivarian' leadership of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, Caracas served as Iran's primary foothold in the Western Hemisphere. This alignment was characterized by deep hostility toward Israel and the United States, with Maduro frequently providing diplomatic cover for Iranian regional ambitions. However, the arrest and deposition of Maduro in early 2026 cleared the path for a fundamental realignment. By mid-2026, the relationship between Caracas and Washington shifted from open hostility to active tactical cooperation. This was most evident in 'Operation Southern Spear,' a U.S.-led campaign targeting the Tren de Aragua criminal-terror organization. In June 2026, a joint operation between the U.S. military and the Bolivarian National Armed Forces led to the elimination of Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores (known as 'Niño Guerrero'), the group's leader, in Bolívar State. Recent reports from July 2026 suggest an even deeper level of U.S. administrative involvement, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio allegedly exercising de facto control over oil revenues and policy via direct communication with President Delcy Rodriguez. Parallel to these political shifts, Venezuela is grappling with the aftermath of a catastrophic natural disaster. In late June 2026, the country was struck by powerful earthquakes (up to magnitude 7.5) that caused widespread destruction. As of mid-July, the confirmed death toll has exceeded 5,000, with tens of thousands still missing. This disaster has opened an unprecedented diplomatic window: despite the severance of formal ties in 2009, Israel dispatched an official aid delegation, including experts from the Home Front Command and the Magen delegation, to assist in rescue operations. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar emphasized that this cooperation was made possible by the collapse of the Maduro regime, signaling a potential path toward the full restoration of diplomatic relations between Jerusalem and Caracas.