The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela denounced this Tuesday the forced opening of the Venezuelan diplomatic bag at the Tocumen International Airport, in Panama City, Panama.
The information was announced by the Chancellor of the Republic, Yván Gil, through an Official Statement published on his Telegram channel. In the letter, Venezuela points out that this act constitutes a direct and flagrant violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, “whose article 27 clearly establishes the inviolability of the diplomatic bag, which cannot be opened or retained under any circumstances.”
“In the face of this outrage, the Bolivarian Government demands full guarantees of non-repetition and urges the Panamanian authorities to strictly comply with the rules that govern diplomatic and consular activity, considering the will expressed by both governments to reactivate consular services,” the statement says.
Below is the full text of the Official Communiqué:
The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela denounces the events that occurred on February 24, 2026, when the Venezuelan diplomatic bag was forced to open at the Tocumen International Airport, in Panama City, Panama.
This act constitutes a direct and flagrant violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, whose article 27 clearly establishes the inviolability of the diplomatic bag, which cannot be opened or retained under any circumstances.
The immunity of diplomatic communications is an essential principle for coexistence between nations. Its violation sets a dangerous precedent that affects the legal security of our missions and threatens the right to identity of the Venezuelan community residing in Panamanian territory.
Faced with this outrage, the Bolivarian Government demands full guarantees of non-repetition and urges the Panamanian authorities to strictly comply with the rules that govern diplomatic and consular activity, considering the will expressed by both governments to reactivate consular services.
Caracas, February 24, 2026.
