Venezuela Closes Embassies in Norway and Australia, Opens New Missions in Africa Amid U.S. Tensions

Venezuela’s government announced plans to close its embassies in Norway and Australia while opening new diplomatic missions in Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe, marking a significant reshuffle in its foreign relations. President Nicolas Maduro’s administration described the move as a “strategic re-assignation of resources,” aimed at strengthening ties with nations it calls “strategic allies in the anti-colonial fight.”

The closures follow weeks of intensifying tensions between Caracas and Washington. Venezuela has accused the United States of preparing an armed attack and denounced recent U.S. military strikes on ships near its coast, which Washington claimed were drug-related operations. The U.S., in turn, continues to label Maduro’s government as illegitimate and linked to narcotics trafficking.

Norway’s foreign ministry confirmed receiving official notice of the embassy’s closure, expressing regret over the decision and emphasizing its intent to maintain dialogue with Venezuela. Norway, which does not have an embassy in Caracas, currently manages relations through its mission in Colombia.

The announcement came shortly after Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado received the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her fight for democracy, a recognition that she dedicated to U.S. President Donald Trump. Norwegian officials clarified that the Nobel Committee operates independently from the government. Kristian Berg Harpviken, the committee’s secretary, said the embassy’s closure does not affect its work.

Caracas stated that its new embassies in Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe would promote cooperation in agriculture, energy, education, and mining. Both African nations maintain close ties with Russia, a key ally of Venezuela and a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy.

The shift highlights Venezuela’s ongoing pivot toward nations opposing Western influence, aligning itself more closely with Russia and other anti-U.S. blocs on the global stage.