Venezuelan embassy in Norway closes following Machado’s Nobel win

Venezuela has announced the closure of its embassy in Norway just days after opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to restore democratic rights in the country.

Machado’s win was officially announced last Friday in Oslo. On Monday, the Maduro administration confirmed the embassy closure, framing it as part of a broader restructuring of Venezuela’s foreign services. The statement made no reference to Machado’s Nobel accolade. Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed the closure, calling the decision “regrettable” and emphasizing that Norway remains open to dialogue with Venezuela despite differences.

The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which operates independently of the government.

Since the death of Hugo Chávez in 2013, Nicolás Maduro has served as Venezuela’s president. Machado was the opposition’s presidential candidate in last year’s elections, but her candidacy was blocked by Maduro’s administration. She has long advocated for free and fair elections in Venezuela and has worked to unify several opposition parties. Facing government hostility, Machado is currently in hiding.