In a striking diplomatic move, Venezuela announced on Monday its decision to close its embassy in Norway. This announcement comes less than a week after prominent opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee honored Ms. Machado for her relentless dedication to promoting democratic rights, a decision that has undoubtedly intensified global attention on the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
While the Venezuelan government did not directly link the embassy closure to the Nobel Peace Prize, it stated that the action is part of a broader strategic realignment of its diplomatic efforts.
A statement released by Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry on social media indicated a shift in resources, with a new focus on strengthening alliances within the Global South.
As part of this diplomatic reshuffle, Venezuela also announced the closure of its embassy in Australia, while simultaneously planning to establish new diplomatic missions in Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso.
Officials emphasized that these changes are designed to “defend national sovereignty and actively contribute to the construction of a new world order based on justice, solidarity, and inclusion.”
Cecilie Roang, a spokeswoman for the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that Venezuelan officials had communicated the closure without providing a specific reason. “This is regrettable,” she noted.
Ms. Roang further stated, “Despite differing views on several issues, Norway remains committed to maintaining an open dialogue with Venezuela and will continue to work toward that goal.”
President Maduro’s government has faced significant criticism for its crackdown on protests and the arrest of dissidents, which has driven a large exodus of people from the country.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration — which has labeled Mr. Maduro’s government a “narco-terror cartel” — has intensified its pressure by deploying warships to the Caribbean and initiating the destruction of vessels that American officials claim are transporting drugs from Venezuela.
Ms. Machado has openly supported President Trump’s military actions in the Caribbean, with her party endorsing the targeting of these boats as legitimate.
During a Fox News interview last month, Ms. Machado unequivocally described Mr. Maduro as “the head of a narco-terrorist structure.”
It’s important to note that the Nobel Peace Prize is not awarded by the Norwegian government. The selection is made by a five-member Nobel committee, appointed by the Norwegian Parliament, who review thousands of nominations and deliberate in secret to choose the laureate.
Thor Halvorssen, chief executive of Human Rights Watch, posted on social media that Venezuela’s embassy closure in Norway was “an act of political vengeance, a petulant attempt to punish Norway for daring to honor the woman Maduro and his henchmen most fear.”
He concluded, “Symbolically, the embassy closure was a retreat from peace itself.”
Norway’s Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Store, congratulated Ms. Machado on her award, stating, “The Norwegian Nobel Committee emphasized that democracy is a precondition for lasting peace. This is an important award that highlights how important it is to fight for fundamental human rights at a time when democracy is under threat.”
Ms. Machado’s journey as a political activist began in 2002 when she co-founded Súmate, a voter rights group. As a conservative former lawmaker, she has consistently been a prominent critic of Venezuela’s socialist ruling party.
She has been in hiding since the summer of 2024, following Mr. Maduro’s declaration of victory in a vote widely considered to be rigged.