Oslo: Norway’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed that Venezuela has shut its embassy in Oslo without explaining, just days after opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Cecilie Roang stated that, “We have been informed by the embassy of Venezuela that it is shutting its doors and no reason has been given. 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 closure follows the announcement that Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo. Machado, a prominent critic of the Chavista regime, has campaigned for the downfall of Nicolás Maduro’s government. Machado was barred from running in the 2024 presidential election, which Maduro won amid widespread opposition protests.
Machado was recognised by the Norwegian Nobel Committee 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 Jørgen Watne Frydnes, the committee’s chair.
Maduro, without directly referencing Machado’s prize, referred to the 58-year-old opposition leader as a ‘demonic witch,’ a term commonly used by his government. Machado has voiced support for US military manoeuvres near Venezuelan waters and dedicated her Nobel Prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and US President Donald Trump, who was also nominated for the award.
Machado praised Trump, saying he deserves the award for his role in resolving conflicts and advancing Venezuela to the threshold of freedom.
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