CARACAS — An official Israeli aid delegation is scheduled to depart for Venezuela to assist in recovery efforts following two severe earthquakes that struck Caracas on June 26, 2026. The mission will proceed despite Israel and Venezuela not having maintained diplomatic relations for approximately 17 years.

The earthquakes caused building collapses, injuries, and displacement in Caracas. The Israeli delegation comprises professionals from the Foreign Ministry and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), including engineering experts from the Home Front Command. Ambassador Yoed Magen will lead the Foreign Ministry's component of the delegation, and Brigadier General Elad Edri, chief of staff of the Home Front Command, will command the IDF delegation.

The initial phase of the mission will focus on engineering assessments of damaged buildings to determine if they can be rehabilitated or require demolition. "The team of experts is composed mainly of engineers who will be able to examine, analyze, and provide professional assessments of damaged buildings: which are designated for demolition, which can be rehabilitated, and which can allow families to return immediately," Magen said. He also noted the operational challenges of coordinating such a mission without diplomatic ties. "It must be understood that security coordination with a country with which we have no ties, where we have no embassy and no logistical or diplomatic rear base, is far more difficult."

Magen grew up in Venezuela. The delegation's efforts will also provide assistance to the Jewish community in Venezuela, where approximately 20 Jewish families lost their homes due to the earthquakes. Three individuals from the Jewish community were killed, and three others remain missing following the seismic events. "We are going on a humanitarian mission," Magen said.