The acting president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, received the Letters of Credence from the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors of Qatar and Italy this Tuesday in the Sol del Perú Hall of Miraflores Palace, in protocol ceremonies that reaffirm diplomatic ties and bilateral cooperation with both nations.

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Ambassador Salman Nabit Mubarak Abdullah Al-Khulaifi formally presented his credentials as representative of the State of Qatar to Venezuela, in a ceremony also attended by Foreign Minister Yván Gil and Vice Minister for Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania, Tatiana Pugh.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on May 24, 1973, and were strengthened starting in 1999 during the administration of then-President Hugo Chávez. Currently, the governments maintain cooperation in strategic sectors such as agriculture, investment, tourism, trade, and energy.

Al-Khulaifi’s academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from CEU San Pablo University in Spain (2006) and a Master’s degree in Strategic and Academic Studies from Juma’an Bin Jassem Academy (2023). His professional experience includes positions in the European and American Affairs Administration (2006-2008), the Qatari Embassy in Madrid (2008-2013), the representation in Buenos Aires (2013-2019), the Directorate of American Affairs (2019-2025), and serving as Chargé d’Affaires in Paraguay in 2025.

Simultaneously, Rodríguez received the Letters of Credence from Giovanni Umberto De Vito, the new Ambassador of the Italian Republic to Venezuela, who was recently promoted to the highest diplomatic rank.

This appointment consolidates a rapprochement process initiated in late 2023 and positions Caracas as a key point of contact for Italy in the Latin American region. The bilateral relationship is based on mutual respect and sovereignty, with the aim of boosting trade and technology exchange.

Venezuela is home to one of the largest Italian communities in Latin America, which strengthens the potential for cooperation in multiple areas. De Vito is a graduate of the University of Padua and the National School of Administration (ENA) in Paris, and previously served as Italy’s ambassador to Senegal and Malta, accumulating experience in international negotiations that will be crucial for advancing the bilateral agenda in 2026.

These diplomatic acts underscore the continuity of Venezuela’s international relations based on the principles of cooperation and the strengthening of strategic alliances with nations in different regions.

The simultaneous presence of representatives from the Middle East and Europe at Miraflores Palace demonstrates Caracas’s interest in diversifying its foreign relations in sectors that are priorities for national development.

The formal ceremony reflects both parties’ commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in key areas. Current diplomatic efforts seek to consolidate exchange mechanisms that benefit the people involved, in line with the integration and shared development goals promoted by the Venezuelan government.

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