On January 31, 2025, Chile announced the closure of its consulates in Venezuela, following a request from the government of Nicolás Maduro. This decision comes after the suspension of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The Chilean Foreign Ministry confirmed that the consulates in Caracas and Puerto Ordaz would cease operations, affecting services for both Chilean citizens and Venezuelans in need of consular assistance.
Approximately 12,000 Chileans reside in Venezuela, while around 730,000 Venezuelans live in Chile, making them the largest foreign group in the country. The Chilean embassy in Venezuela has been closed since August 2024, after Maduro ordered the withdrawal of Chilean diplomats in response to President Gabriel Boric's remarks regarding the legitimacy of the July 28 elections, which were claimed to be fraudulent.
In early January, Chile ended the mission of its ambassador in Caracas. This diplomatic strain has been exacerbated by the investigation into the murder of Venezuelan dissident Ronald Ojeda in Chile, with Chilean prosecutors indicating that Diosdado Cabello, a senior figure in the Venezuelan government, may have ordered the crime.