Venezuela's Embassy in Oslo after it was closed on Oct. 13. Photo: Fredrik Varfjel/AFP/Getty Images.
Caracas (OrinocoTribune.com)—On Monday, Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry announced that it has begun the first phase of a comprehensive restructuring of its foreign service, ordering the closure of its embassies in the Kingdom of Norway and Australia.
“As part of the strategic reallocation of resources, the closure of the embassies in the Kingdom of Norway and Australia has been ordered,” the ministry said in a statement.
Venezuela explained that bilateral relations and consular assistance for the Venezuelan community in Norway and Australia “will be efficiently addressed through concurrent diplomatic missions, the details of which will be announced in the coming days.”
Strengthening ties with Africa
As part of a strategy to strengthen ties with the African continent, the Foreign Ministry also announced it will open embassies in the Republic of Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso.
“With this decision, the Bolivarian Government strengthens its historic ties with the African continent and establishes resident diplomatic missions in two sister nations, strategic partners in the anticolonial struggle and resistance to hegemonic pressures,” the text read.
Optimizing resources
The statement explained that the comprehensive restructuring seeks to “optimize state resources and redefine our diplomatic presence to strengthen alliances with the Global South, promoting solidarity among peoples and cooperation in strategic areas for mutual development.”
Norway mission vandalized
The embassy in Oslo was vandalized in January, an incident the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry denounced as part of a far-right opposition operation. Analysts stated the attacks were fueled by frustration after opposition leaders promised their followers that former candidate Edmundo Gonzalez would be inaugurated on January 10.
Foreign Minister Yvan Gil wrote at the time that “the responsibility for the inviolability of diplomatic headquarters is of the receiving state. We hope that the authorities immediately find those responsible for these attacks.”
This attack added to a series of assaults on Venezuelan missions abroad. Days earlier, the consulate in Lisbon, Portugal, was attacked with incendiary bombs. Venezuelan embassies and consulates in Frankfurt, Germany; Medellín, Colombia; Vigo, Spain; and San José, Costa Rica, were also targeted.
Full unofficial translation of the statement:
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is beginning the first phase of a comprehensive restructuring of its Foreign Service, in line with the strategic guidelines of the 7 Transformations (7T) Plan for the Homeland and the principles of the Geopolitics of Peace and Integration.
The central objective of this reorganization is to optimize state resources and redefine our diplomatic presence to strengthen alliances with the Global South, promoting solidarity among peoples and cooperation in strategic areas for mutual development. These efforts are framed within the inalienable principles of self-determination and respect for international law.
Following a thorough assessment of national priorities and in line with the drive for a multicentric and multipolar world, the following measures have been identified:
Strengthening the Strategic Alliance with Mother Africa: New embassies will be opened in the Republic of Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso. With this decision, the Bolivarian Government strengthens its historic ties with the African continent and establishes resident diplomatic missions in two sister nations, strategic partners in the anti-colonial struggle and resistance to hegemonic pressures. These embassies will serve as key platforms for promoting cooperation projects in agriculture, energy, education, mining and other areas of common interest.
Optimization and reorganization of Diplomatic Representation in Europe and Oceania: As part of the strategic reallocation of resources, the embassies in the Kingdom of Norway and Australia have been closed. Bilateral relations and consular services to the Venezuelan community in these countries will be efficiently addressed through concurrent diplomatic missions, the details of which will be announced in the coming days.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reaffirms that these actions reflect its unwavering resolve to defend national sovereignty and actively contribute to the construction of a new world order based on justice, solidarity and inclusion.
Diplomacy of Peace and Integration, Bolivarian Diplomacy!
Caracas, October 13, 2025
Colombia’s Foreign Ministry and “humanitarian crisis”
Meanwhile, Rander Peña, Venezuela’s deputy minister for Latin America, responded forcefully to a statement from Colombia’s Deputy Minister for Multilateral Affairs, Mauricio Jaramillo, who described the situation of at least 40 incarcerated Colombians in Venezuela as a “humanitarian crisis.”
“Vice Foreign Minister Jaramillo, I assure you that Venezuela is a strong state that protects its citizens and the Republic against any attempt at destabilization,” Peña wrote on social media.
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He reiterated that there is no “humanitarian crisis” in this case and that the rule of law is being applied, as the individuals are being prosecuted by the Venezuelan justice system, with most linked to paramilitary groups that entered Venezuela for violent purposes.
Peña added that Venezuela has acted with the firmness required by law and its duty to preserve peace. He urged his Colombian counterpart not to fall into “megaphone diplomacy” that damages bilateral relations, “especially at a time when so many lies are told about our nations and when the empire of the north attacks us and seeks to divide us.”
Finally, the Venezuelan official noted that Venezuela does not commit aggression but nor will it allow aggression, and it will enforce the rule of law to preserve peace.
Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff
OT/JRE/SL
