Venezuela abruptly closed its embassy in Oslo on Monday, shortly after opposition leader María Corina Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize. The Venezuelan government issued a statement, claiming the closure aligns with a broader restructuring of its foreign service.
However, it conspicuously avoided mentioning Machado’s prestigious award, announced on Friday in Oslo, with the Nobel Committee praising Machado for her relentless efforts in promoting democratic rights for Venezuelans, a move that stirred controversy in Caracas.
Norway’s foreign ministry expressed regret over the embassy closure, noting that Venezuela provided no clear explanation for the decision. “Despite our differences, Norway remains committed to maintaining open dialogue with Venezuela,” a ministry spokesperson stated, emphasizing diplomacy.
Moreover, they clarified that the Nobel Prize operates independently of the Norwegian government, distancing the state from the committee’s decision. This closure marks a significant diplomatic shift, echoing tensions from 2010 when China froze ties with Norway after dissident Liu Xiaobo’s Nobel win.
Machado’s Nobel Sparks Domestic and Global Reactions
The Nobel Committee lauded Machado as a unifying force in Venezuela’s fractured opposition, highlighting her work in a nation grappling with a humanitarian and economic crisis. Jørgen Watne Frydnes, Nobel chairman, described her as a beacon of hope in a brutal authoritarian state. Machado, forced into hiding for much of the past year, told BBC Mundo the award injects energy, hope, and strength into her movement, stating, “It shows Venezuelans we are not alone.”
Conversely, Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, whose 12-year rule many nations deem illegitimate, sharply criticized Machado, labeling her a “demonic witch.” His remarks underscore the deep political divide within Venezuela, where Machado’s activism challenges the regime’s grip on power. The Nobel recognition amplifies her influence, further straining relations between Caracas and Western nations like Norway and the United States.
Broader Diplomatic Maneuvers Amid Global Tensions
In addition to closing its Oslo embassy, Venezuela shuttered its mission in Australia while establishing new embassies in Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso. Caracas described these nations as “strategic partners” in resisting “hegemonic pressures,” signaling a pivot toward non-Western alliances. These moves follow heightened tensions with Washington, particularly after US military strikes destroyed four Venezuelan boats allegedly carrying narcotics, killing at least 21 people. The Trump administration frames these actions as part of its war on drugs, but Venezuela and Colombia condemned the strikes, with some international lawyers calling them a violation of international law.
The embassy closures in Norway and Australia, both close U.S. allies, suggest a deliberate recalibration of Venezuela’s foreign policy. As Caracas navigates these diplomatic waters, the Nobel Prize for Machado intensifies scrutiny on Maduro’s regime, both domestically and abroad. Norway, meanwhile, vows to pursue dialogue, hoping to avoid a prolonged diplomatic freeze like the one with China over a decade ago.
