Venezuela’s President, Nicolas Maduro, has announced that he is shutting down the country’s embassy in Norway. This decision comes shortly after Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote democracy in the country.

Norway, which awards the Nobel Peace Prize, has long supported talks between Maduro’s government and the Venezuelan opposition. However, Maduro did not welcome Machado’s recognition and instead took it as a political statement against his leadership.

Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry said the embassy in Norway’s capital, Oslo, will be closed as part of a “reorganisation” of its diplomatic missions. Along with Norway, Venezuela will also shut down its embassy in Australia. The government claimed this decision aligns with its “geopolitical principles” of promoting “peace and integration,” although many see it as a reaction to Norway’s support of the opposition.

Over the years, Norway has played an important role as a mediator between Maduro’s government and opposition leaders. From 2019 to 2024, Norwegian diplomats helped organize several rounds of peace talks, including the well-known Barbados Agreement. However, those negotiations eventually failed, as Maduro refused to follow through on political commitments.

In 2024, Maduro held a presidential election that was widely criticized by international observers for being unfair. Since then, his government has become even more isolated globally. While some neighboring countries like Brazil and Colombia have been cautious in criticizing him, others such as Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago have supported U.S. efforts to hold Maduro accountable.

Interestingly, while shutting down embassies in Norway and Australia, Venezuela announced it will open new diplomatic offices in Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso. The government said this move is meant to strengthen ties with other Global South nations.

It is important to note that the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by an independent committee chosen by Norway’s parliament and does not represent the Norwegian government’s foreign policy. However, Maduro’s decision clearly signals a breakdown in communication with Norway, closing yet another diplomatic door for his already isolated government.