A US special forces veteran has revealed details of a highly dangerous night-time rescue mission that helped Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado escape the country. He has now publicly urged her not to return, warning that her life could be at serious risk.
A High-Risk Extraction Under Cover of Darkness
The dramatic rescue was carried out by the Grey Bull Rescue Foundation, led by former US special forces veteran Bryan Stern. Speaking to CNN, Stern described the mission as the most challenging operation his team has ever undertaken.
The extraction lasted nearly 16 hours
It took place mostly at night
The journey involved rough and cold waters
The operation required extreme secrecy due to Machado’s global profile
Stern said the mission was “overwhelmingly the hardest, most high-profile, and most delicate” operation his organisation has ever conducted.
How Machado Was Smuggled Out of Venezuela
According to Stern, the escape unfolded in several tense stages:
Machado boarded a small boat from the Venezuelan coast
The boat travelled to a pre-arranged meeting point at sea
She then transferred to a second vessel, where Stern was waiting
By Tuesday night, she was safely on board and moved to another secure location
The team reached shore early Wednesday morning, after which Machado boarded a plane that eventually took her to Norway.
Intelligence Agencies Were Actively Searching for Her
Stern explained that the risks were far greater than usual because of Machado’s international recognition.
“The entire Venezuelan intelligence service, the Cuban intelligence service, and parts of Russian intelligence were all looking for her,” he said.
He added that the situation became even more dangerous following her Nobel Peace Prize win, making her one of the most sought-after individuals in the region at the time.
Despite having carried out around 800 missions and rescuing more than 8,000 people, Stern noted this was the first time his team had rescued someone with such a global profile.
Journey to Norway and Nobel Peace Prize Moment
Flight tracking data verified by CNN showed that:
Machado’s plane departed from Curaçao
It made a stop in Bangor, Maine
It then continued to Oslo, Norway
The Dutch Embassy in Caracas denied any involvement in her escape.
Machado arrived in Oslo just hours after the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, which her daughter accepted on her behalf. It was their first reunion in two years.
She later appeared on the balcony of Oslo’s Grand Hotel, waving to cheering supporters, many of them Venezuelans hoping to one day return to a free and democratic homeland.
First Public Appearance in Nearly a Year
This marked Machado’s first public appearance in almost a year. She had gone into hiding after Venezuela’s disputed election last year, when the government intensified its crackdown on dissent.
She briefly resurfaced in January during a protest against the swearing-in of President Nicolás Maduro, before disappearing again for safety reasons.
Machado’s representatives declined to comment on the rescue operation and did not confirm Grey Bull’s involvement.
Was the US Government Involved?
Machado has previously acknowledged receiving support from the US government, but said she could not share details to protect those involved.
Stern, however, stated clearly that:
The operation was funded by anonymous donors
It was not supported by the US government, to his knowledge
That said, he confirmed that his team did inform the US military of their presence at sea to avoid being mistaken for drug traffickers during ongoing US operations in the Caribbean.
“I was deeply concerned about being targeted by the US military,” Stern explained.
He said only limited information was shared, with full details revealed only at the very last moment and at the highest levels.
Stern’s Emotional Plea: “I Begged Her Not to Go Back”
Perhaps the most striking revelation came when Stern spoke about his conversation with Machado during the journey.
He personally urged her not to return to Venezuela
He warned of the risks of arrest, torture, or even death
He described her as a hero and an icon
“I begged her not to go back,” Stern told CNN. “To put her back in harm’s way would be terrifying.”
Despite this, Stern acknowledged Machado’s deep commitment to her people and her desire to lead from within the country, even at great personal risk.
A Symbol of Resistance for Venezuelans
María Corina Machado remains a powerful symbol of resistance and hope for millions of Venezuelans, both inside the country and abroad. While she is now safe, the question of whether she will ever return home remains uncertain — and deeply controversial.
For now, those who helped save her life are hoping she stays away from danger.
Sources
CNN
Statements from Grey Bull Rescue Foundation
Flight tracking data verified by CNN
Public comments from María Corina Machado and her representatives
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