Overview

• Norway called the decision regrettable and said it would keep working to preserve dialogue with Venezuela.
• Caracas labeled the move a diplomatic “restructuring,” also closing its embassy in Australia while opening new posts in Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso.
• In an AFP interview, María Corina Machado urged Nicolás Maduro to resign and said the opposition is prepared to offer guarantees to enable a peaceful transfer of power.
• Maduro intensified his attacks, referring to Machado as “La Sayona” and claiming that most Venezuelans reject her.
• Tensions remain high near Venezuelan waters, with U.S. deployments and reported strikes on boats alongside New York Times reporting that President Trump signed a secret decree enabling military action against drug cartels without congressional approval.