Venezuela announced it will close its embassy in Norway, just days after opposition leader María Corina Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize. Machado was recognized for her efforts to promote democratic rights and draw attention to President Nicolás Maduro’s government.
Officials in Caracas said the embassy closure is part of a larger diplomatic realignment. Venezuela plans to focus on strengthening alliances with the Global South and will also close its embassy in Australia. New embassies will open in Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso. The government stated these moves are meant to “defend national sovereignty and actively contribute to a new world order based on justice, solidarity, and inclusion.”
Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Venezuela informed them about the closure but did not explain the reasons. “This is regrettable,” said spokeswoman Cecilie Roang. She added that Norway remains committed to dialogue despite differing views.
Machado, a conservative former lawmaker and political activist, has been a long-time critic of Maduro. She helped establish the voter rights group Súmate in 2002 and has been in hiding since the contested 2024 election. The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised her work highlighting democracy and human rights.
The closure of Venezuela’s embassy sparked criticism from human rights advocates. Thor Halvorssen, CEO of the Human Rights Foundation, called it “an act of political vengeance.” Machado has voiced support for U.S. efforts to counter drug trafficking from Venezuela, including military operations in the Caribbean.
This development marks a tense chapter in Venezuela Norway Diplomacy. While the government frames it as a strategic realignment, international observers see it as retaliation against Machado’s recognition. The situation underscores the growing challenges facing Venezuela in maintaining global diplomatic relations.
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