Venezuela has announced the closure of its embassy in Oslo, just days after opposition leader María Corina Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize for her long-standing campaign for democracy. The move, disclosed on Monday, marks a sharp downturn in diplomatic relations between Caracas and Norway, the host country of the Nobel Committee.
In its statement, the Venezuelan government did not directly reference Machado’s award, instead describing the closure as part of a wider “restructuring” of its diplomatic service. Norway’s foreign ministry later confirmed that Venezuela had closed the mission without offering an explanation.
The Nobel Committee granted Machado the Peace Prize on Friday, recognizing what it described as her unwavering commitment to advancing democratic rights in Venezuela. President Nicolás Maduro responded by condemning the 58-year-old laureate, calling her a “demonic witch.”
Machado, who has lived largely in hiding for the past year, has been one of Maduro’s most vocal critics, leading opposition efforts against his twelve-year rule. She told media outlets that the prize represents “hope and strength” for Venezuelans who continue to resist political repression.
Norway, which has frequently played the role of international mediator in Venezuelan peace talks, called the embassy closure “regrettable.” A foreign ministry spokesperson emphasized that the Nobel Prize operates independently of the Norwegian government and said Oslo remains open to continued dialogue with Caracas.
The diplomatic fallout comes amid growing international recognition of Machado’s work and renewed scrutiny of Venezuela’s political climate, where opposition movements continue to face intimidation and censorship.