Venezuela: ‘We’re fighting so that everyone can come back, including Jews’ Renewing diplomatic ties with Israel, severed in 2009, is a priority for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó, says politician Julio Borges, who serves as his shadow foreign minister. Shlomi Diaz Dec. 12, 2019
Like rest of Venezuela, Jews wait and watch in midst of power struggle, economic turmoil Its small Jewish community lives in a besieged state, economically and socially, like the rest of the country, but also needing to rely on kosher food, especially as Passover approaches. Shiryn Ghermezian Feb. 17, 2019
Guaidó seeks to restore ties between Venezuela and Israel “When asked by the outlet if the embassy would be in Jerusalem, Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó said “it is one of the subjects we are talking about. I will declare the resumption of ties and the site of the embassy at the proper time.” Feb. 12, 2019
Experts see Israel’s support for Venezuela’s Guaidó as a ‘win-win’ “Israel has become an important international player, and it must assume its responsibilities. Recognizing [opposition leader Juan] Guaidó was the right thing to do—not only as a matter of principle, but also as a matter of interest.” Israel Kasnett Jan. 30, 2019
Israel joins world in recognizing ‘new leadership’ in Venezuela Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recognizes Juan Guaidó as country’s interim president • Israel is the first country in the Middle East to recognize Guaidó • Guaidó: “74 years ago, the Auschwitz extermination camp was liberated, and today, as our country fights for its independence, we are thankful for the support we received” from Israel. Shirley Varnagy Jan. 28, 2019
Venezuela’s Jews describe chaos, uncertain future Jewish community leader Elias Farache: “We hope and pray there will be peace” • Resident Juan Carlos López says streets are quiet, but tense • Journalist Gabriel Chocron: “The Jewish community doesn’t want to get caught up in the situation.” Shimon Yaish Jan. 25, 2019
Don’t forget the Maduro regime in Venezuela In a harbinger of what was to come, under Hugo Chávez, Venezuela’s Jewish community of 20,000 shrank to less than 7,000, harassed out of their homeland by the anti-Semitic, “anti-imperialist” rhetoric of a regime that presided over the community’s economic immiseration at the same time. Ben Cohen Jan. 11, 2019