THE HAGUE, CARACAS – The Netherlands plans to strengthen its diplomatic presence in Venezuela by once again appointing an ambassador in Caracas, according to a letter sent to parliament by Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen.
The move marks a shift from the current situation, in which the Kingdom of the Netherlands has been represented at the level of chargé d’affaires since the disputed Venezuelan presidential elections of 2018.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries deteriorated further in 2025, when the Venezuelan government reduced the number of Dutch diplomats in Caracas to three, citing political tensions. In response, the Netherlands applied similar restrictions to Venezuelan diplomatic staff in The Hague.
According to the Dutch government, conditions are now improving. Venezuela’s interim authorities have indicated that the earlier restrictions will be lifted, allowing Dutch diplomatic staff to return and potentially paving the way for a full ambassadorial presence.
The Dutch cabinet considers the restoration of a fully staffed embassy to be important for stabilizing bilateral relations and strengthening engagement on issues such as democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela.
The planned upgrade also reflects broader geopolitical developments in the region, where diplomatic channels have remained strained in recent years due to political instability and international pressure on Venezuela.
For the Kingdom, which includes Caribbean countries such as Curaçao, Aruba, and Bonaire, developments in Venezuela are of particular importance given their geographic proximity and economic ties.
The re-establishment of ambassador-level representation is expected to enhance direct dialogue between the two countries and improve coordination on regional issues.