Italian Consulate suspends appointments in Caracas after 31 employees leave

The Consulate General of Italy in Caracas, Venezuela, is facing a service crisis following the end of the contracts of 31 temporary employees. The situation led to the suspension of appointments and drew criticism from representatives of the Italian community, who are demanding explanations from Giorgia Meloni’s government.

According to a report published by the newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano on Tuesday (3), the consular office announced restrictions on the issuance of passports and identity cards, without providing a timeline for services to return to normal.

The notice initially released by the consulate stated that it was not possible at that time to determine when appointments would be rescheduled. The announcement was later removed from the office’s official channels.

The crisis also involves the Italian citizenship department, with reports that appointments for citizenship recognition have been suspended.

Rep. Fabio Porta of the Democratic Party (PD), elected by the South America constituency, described the situation as “a disaster without precedent or comparison anywhere in the world.”

Departure of 31 employees compromises services

The crisis comes after the contracts of 31 temporary employees, known in the Italian consular administration as digitatori, ended, with the workers leaving their positions as of November 1.

According to Fabio Porta, the workers were hired during the tenure of former Consul General Nicola Occhipinti, using funds from the so-called Citizenship Fund, a mechanism created in 2016 to improve services provided to Italians living abroad.

The staff reduction affected the consulate’s service capacity. The consulate serves a significant portion of the Italian community in Venezuela.

Contacted by Il Fatto Quotidiano, the Italian Foreign Ministry, known as the Farnesina, confirmed the administrative difficulties.

“At the end of October, the Consulate General of Italy in Caracas reorganized appointments for the issuance of passports and electronic identity cards because of temporary organizational difficulties related to the expiration of some employment contracts,” the ministry said.

The Farnesina said it remains in direct contact with the consulate to find solutions and rebuild its staff structure.

The government stressed, however, that the office continues to provide services. According to the ministry, passport issuance increased by 16%, while issuance of electronic identity cards rose by 50% compared with the previous year.

The percentages provided do not clarify when the affected appointments will return to normal.

Lawmaker calls it an “unprecedented disaster”

Fabio Porta blamed the Italian administration for the deterioration of consular services in Venezuela.

In a statement released to Italianismo, the lawmaker said the Italian community faces problems that had already prompted questions to the government.

“A disaster without precedent or comparison anywhere in the world,” he said.

Porta also questioned the actions of Italian authorities in response to the difficulties faced by citizens living in the country.

“How much longer will Italian citizens in Venezuela have to endure the inefficiencies of the Italian administration?” he asked.

Along with other PD lawmakers, the representative submitted an interpellation to Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

The document seeks clarification on the causes of the service interruption, possible administrative responsibilities and measures to restore services.

Italian community denounces violation of rights

The Committee of Italians Abroad (Comites) in Venezuela also criticized the restrictions.

“We express firm condemnation and deep concern over a measure that violates Italian citizens’ right to obtain their identity documents and access consular services,” the organization said in a statement reproduced by Il Fatto Quotidiano.

In response to the crisis, the consulate called an emergency meeting for November 3 to coordinate measures related to the reduction in services.

Mario Borghese, vice president of the Associative Movement of Italians Abroad (Maie), also expressed concern.

“We are facing an unexpected interruption of services that creates a critical situation for the many Italians who live in Venezuela,” he said.

The restrictions affect a community already facing difficulties arising from the Venezuelan political and economic crisis.

Italian citizenship also faces restrictions

The administrative crisis comes at a time of changes to the rules for recognition of Italian citizenship by descent.

Law No. 11 of January 19, 2026 established a reorganization of citizenship procedures for residents abroad, including the future centralization of certain applications at the Italian Foreign Ministry.

The law, which took effect on February 19, provides transitional rules for applications submitted to consulates before the new model is implemented.

Separately, Decree-Law No. 36/2025, later converted into law, restricted recognition of Italian citizenship by descent.

Il Fatto Quotidiano reports that sources consulted raised the possibility of a connection between the tightening of citizenship rules and the reduction in consular services.

The Farnesina, however, denied that the current administrative crisis is related to that possibility.

There is therefore not enough evidence to state that the suspension of appointments was caused by the citizenship reform.

No timeline for return to normal

As of early Wednesday (4), no confirmed timeline had been announced for the full restoration of the affected appointments.

The Farnesina says it is working to find solutions and strengthen the consulate’s staff again.

Meanwhile, those affected should follow official announcements from the Italian office in Caracas and check the guidance available through the Prenot@Mi system.