Venezuela on Monday announced the closure of its embassy in Oslo, Norway, likely in response to Venezuelan opposition politician Maria Corina Machado—a vocal critic and rival of President Nicolas Maduro—being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Also Read: Who is Maria Corina Machado? Winner of 2025 Nobel Peace Prize
However, the Venezuelan government, which has not commented on Machado’s win, described the move as part of a “restructuring” of its foreign service.
As part of the changes, Caracas also closed its embassy in Australia while opening diplomatic missions in Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso, which it considers “strategic partners in the fight” against “hegemonic pressures,” according to an official statement.
Norway’s foreign ministry expressed disappointment over the embassy closure.
“It is regrettable. Despite our differences on several issues, Norway wishes to keep the dialogue open with Venezuela and will continue to work in this direction. The Nobel Prize is independent of the Norwegian government,” spokeswoman Cecilie Roang told AFP.
The Nobel Peace Prize committee, which awarded Machado, is based in Oslo and is appointed by the Norwegian parliament.
Machado, 58, who has been living in hiding in Venezuela, was barred from running in the 2024 presidential election, which Maduro won amid opposition protests. Several countries, including the United States, do not recognize Maduro’s government.
On Sunday, without mentioning Machado’s Nobel win, Maduro referred to her as a “witch,” a term frequently used by his administration.
Machado was honoured “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy,” said Jorgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
She dedicated her award to the “suffering people of Venezuela” and to US President Donald Trump, praising his “decisive support of our cause.”
Also Read: Who is Maria Corina Machado? Winner of 2025 Nobel Peace Prize
However, the Venezuelan government, which has not commented on Machado’s win, described the move as part of a “restructuring” of its foreign service.
As part of the changes, Caracas also closed its embassy in Australia while opening diplomatic missions in Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso, which it considers “strategic partners in the fight” against “hegemonic pressures,” according to an official statement.
Norway’s foreign ministry expressed disappointment over the embassy closure.
“It is regrettable. Despite our differences on several issues, Norway wishes to keep the dialogue open with Venezuela and will continue to work in this direction. The Nobel Prize is independent of the Norwegian government,” spokeswoman Cecilie Roang told AFP.
The Nobel Peace Prize committee, which awarded Machado, is based in Oslo and is appointed by the Norwegian parliament.
Machado, 58, who has been living in hiding in Venezuela, was barred from running in the 2024 presidential election, which Maduro won amid opposition protests. Several countries, including the United States, do not recognize Maduro’s government.
On Sunday, without mentioning Machado’s Nobel win, Maduro referred to her as a “witch,” a term frequently used by his administration.
Machado was honoured “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy,” said Jorgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
She dedicated her award to the “suffering people of Venezuela” and to US President Donald Trump, praising his “decisive support of our cause.”
You may also like
Amitabh Bachchan becomes the latest celeb to catch the 'Labubu' fever
Shubman Gill Defends Follow-On Decision in Test Series Against West Indies
"No religion said that one should hate": Karnatka CM Siddaramaiah on shoe-hurling incident in Supreme Court
High Paying Jobs: 7 Engineering Jobs Where Salaries Will Be Raining
BBC Breakfast host announces sad cancer news as co-star says 'it's not a death sentence'
