JERUSALEM (VINnews)-Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations, Israel has earned public praise in Venezuela for its swift humanitarian response to a devastating earthquake, highlighting a broader push to strengthen ties and counter criticism in Latin America.

A delegation from Israel arrived in the South American nation following the June 24 earthquake and was lauded by Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodríguez, who publicly thanked the team for its work and requested that the mission be extended. Rodríguez rejected calls from antisemitic groups to refuse the assistance, according to reports shared with the Knesset State Control Committee.

Foreign Ministry Director-General Eden Bar Tal cited the Venezuela operation as a notable success in Israel’s public diplomacy efforts during a committee briefing. The ministry is expanding its budget to test targeted messaging across different audiences, with particular effectiveness in rebutting claims related to Gaza and rebuilding support among U.S. Republicans, Bar Tal said.

Latin American media coverage of the aid mission was largely positive. Colombia’s NTN24 reported that Israel’s team ranked among the world’s most skilled and technologically advanced, deploying AI-equipped drones in rescue operations. The network noted that expertise developed during tunnel searches in Gaza was being applied to locate survivors trapped under rubble.

Yoed Magen, Israel’s ambassador-designate to Mexico and one of the delegation’s leaders, emphasized that the absence of formal ties did not diminish Israel’s commitment to helping in times of crisis.

The Venezuela effort is part of a larger Foreign Ministry initiative framed by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar as making 2026 “the year of Latin America.” Recent actions include sending medical teams to Bolivia and eye specialists to Honduras, where hundreds of patients received treatment.