Chile and Venezuela resume diplomatic ties under President Kast

President José Antonio Kast and Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez announced the reactivation of consular relations and the start of a new phase of cooperation between Chile and Venezuela after a two‑year diplomatic break. The two sides pledged joint work on security, migration and economic development, with Chile emphasizing the importance of the agreement for its plan to address irregular migration from Venezuela.

Relations had been severed in 2024 after the previous Chilean administration questioned the transparency of Venezuelan elections, leading to the withdrawal of Venezuelan diplomatic staff from Santiago and the expulsion of Chilean officials from Caracas. The normalization now affects the sizable Venezuelan community in Chile—over 700,000 residents—and follows pending orders to expel more than 75,000 irregular Venezuelan migrants.

Both governments expressed optimism that the renewed ties will improve bilateral cooperation and support the Venezuelan diaspora in Chile.