Crisis at Venezuela consulate is an isolated case and should not be repeated in Brazil, Fabio Porta says

Italian lawmaker Fabio Porta of the Democratic Party (PD) says that the crisis at the Consulate General of Italy in Caracas is an exceptional situation and should not be repeated at Italian consulates in Brazil, although he acknowledges that no diplomatic mission is entirely free from this risk.

In an exclusive interview with Italianismo on Wednesday (4), the lawmaker elected by South America described the episode as a “perfect storm,” caused, in his view, by a government policy unfavorable to Italians abroad and failures in consular administration.

The reduction in services occurred after the contracts of 31 temporary employees ended. Porta criticized the handling of the problem and said the consular administration could have prepared better for the workers’ departure.

“I think that in this case we have a, how can one put it, perfect storm,” he said.

Crisis in Caracas considered exceptional

Asked by Italianismo about the possibility of a similar episode occurring in Brazil, Porta acknowledged that the possibility cannot be completely ruled out. “It could happen at any consulate in the world,” he said.

However, the lawmaker stressed that the Caracas episode is an anomalous case and that similar situations are rare. According to him, the difficulties faced by Italian consulates in other countries often stem from staffing limitations, excess demand and administrative changes, rather than necessarily from management failures. “I hope this is not repeated, because it would mean that consulates are in the hands of incompetent people,” he said.

Lawmaker criticizes lack of planning

For Porta, the end of the 31 employees’ contracts should not have come as a surprise to the consular administration. “He (the consul) knew that these 31 data-entry clerks were reaching the end of their contracts,” he said.

The lawmaker argues that the person in charge of the consulate should have requested additional staff from the central administration in Rome in advance. According to him, more efficient communication with the Farnesina could have allowed for a gradual transition or reduced the impact on the community.

Porta also criticized what he sees as an Italian government policy of making citizenship-related procedures and relations with citizens living abroad more difficult. This interpretation is the lawmaker’s and does not in itself demonstrate that the Caracas crisis is part of a deliberate government strategy.

“It rains where it is already wet”

Venezuela’s humanitarian situation also occupied an important part of the interview. Porta said the Italian community in the country has faced political, economic and social difficulties for years, making problems with consular services even more serious. “In other words, it rains where it is already wet,” he said.

According to the lawmaker, complaints about the services affect people with different political views. “Clearly, it is not about one political side or the other, because everyone is suffering,” he said.

Asked whether the Italian state should devote greater attention to Venezuela, he replied: “With much, much more care.”

Electoral problems also cited

Porta mentioned previous episodes involving the organization of Italian elections and referendums in Venezuela. According to him, election envelopes from Maracaibo did not arrive in Italy during the 2025 referendum on labor issues.

The lawmaker also criticized the publication of the phone number of a private company tasked with delivering election materials during the referendum on judicial reform, held in March 2026.

Lawmakers demand explanations from Tajani

The case also reached the Italian Parliament through a written question submitted by Democratic Party lawmakers, including Fabio Porta, and addressed to Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

The initiative calls for clarification and measures to restore the service capacity of Italian diplomatic missions in Venezuela.

During the interview, Porta said he hopes the repercussions of the crisis will serve as a warning to other consular offices and help prevent similar episodes.

Porta defends former Porto Alegre consul

The lawmaker also praised the work of diplomat Nicola Occhipinti, who headed the Consulate General of Italy in Porto Alegre and later served in Caracas. Porta questioned his return to Rome and spoke favorably of Valerio Caruso’s work in Porto Alegre.

“In other words, the person who works well, instead of receiving a reward, gets a whipping,” he said.

Farnesina acknowledges difficulties

The Italian Foreign Ministry acknowledged organizational difficulties resulting from the expiration of temporary contracts but said the mission in Caracas continues to provide services.

In a statement to the Italian newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano, the Farnesina said it is seeking solutions to restore staffing levels and rejected the possibility that the restrictions were caused by the reform of Italian citizenship rules.

The ministry also cited increases in the issuance of passports and electronic identity cards compared with the previous year, without indicating, in the statement cited, a definitive date for the full normalization of affected appointments.

For Porta, the Caracas experience demonstrates the importance of planning and greater attention to Italian communities in countries facing prolonged crises.