Days after Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, President Nicolas Maduro ordered the closure of Venezuela’s
embassy in Norway, signalling his regime’s disapproval of the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s decision to recognise her struggle for democracy in the country. Caracas has announced the closure of its embassy in Australia while opening new diplomatic missions in Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso, aiming to “strengthen ties with the Global South.” In a statement shared on Instagram, Venezuela's foreign ministry said that the Maduro government has ordered its embassy in Norway's capital closed as a result of an internal "reorganisation" of its diplomatic missions. In an Instagram statement, Venezuela’s foreign ministry said that the Maduro government has ordered the closure of its embassy in Norway’s capital as part of an internal “reorganisation” of its diplomatic missions. Norway has been consistent mediator in the talks between Maduro's government and the Venezuelan opposition, of which Machado is a member. The Norwegian government has mediated on-and-off talks between the two sides between 2019 and 2024, resulting in the failed Barbados Agreement. Meanwhile, phone services at the Venezuelan embassy had also been disconnected by Monday evening. However, Norway’s foreign ministry said that Venezuela closed its Oslo embassy without providing any explanation. “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,” ministry spokeswoman Cecilie Roang told AFP. The spokesperson further emphasised that the Nobel Peace Prize is "independent of the Norwegian government." Additionally, Venezuela announced that it is closing its embassy in Australia in line with the country’s “geopolitical principles” of “peace and integration.” Maria Corina Machado, opposition leader, member of the Vente Venezuela party and democracy activist, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on October 10 “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and her fight to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.” The government of Nicolas Maduro has not yet issued any comment on Machado’s Nobel Prize. Her “choice for ballots over bullets” amid the tense political climate in Venezuela reflects her steadfast commitment to democracy and her courage to challenge Maduro’s authoritarian regime through peaceful means. Machado has repeatedly described Nicolas Maduro’s rule in Venezuela as a “dictatorship.” She has been at the forefront of numerous anti-government protests and along with the opposition, has accused Maduro of rigging the 2024 presidential election, claiming that the rightful winner was her party colleague, Edmundo González. In August 2024, Maria Corina Machado went into hiding, saying she feared for her “life, freedom, and that of my fellow countrymen under the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro.” The tension further escalated when, on Sunday, Maduro -- without directly mentioning her Nobel recognition -- referred to Machado as a “demonic witch,” a term frequently used by his regime to target opponents.
