13-12-2025

María Corina Machado's daring escape from Venezuela

Date: 13-12-2025
Sources: cbsnews.com: 3 | edition.cnn.com: 1 | foxnews.com: 1 | nytimes.com: 1
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Source: foxnews.com

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Summary

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was extracted from Venezuela by a private American rescue team, Grey Bull Rescue Foundation, and taken to Norway to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Machado plans to return to Venezuela despite the risk of persecution, while the U.S. continues to build up military pressure against Maduro's regime.

Key Points

  • Machado was rescued by Grey Bull Rescue Foundation, led by U.S. special forces veteran Bryan Stern, in a 15-16 hour operation involving a complex maritime journey.
  • Machado plans to return to Venezuela 'as soon as possible' despite the risk of prosecution by Maduro's regime.
  • Machado is open to U.S. military pressure against Maduro, welcoming 'more and more pressure' to oust him.
  • Stern has begged Machado not to return to Venezuela, citing the high risk of persecution.
  • Machado credits Donald Trump for supporting Venezuela's pro-democracy movement and dedicates her Nobel Peace Prize to him.

Articles in this Cluster

Inside the very tense, very wet secret mission to get María Corina Machado out of Venezuela - CBS News

A private American rescue team, Grey Bull Rescue Foundation, led by Bryan Stern, a U.S. special forces veteran, successfully extracted Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado from Venezuela and took her to Norway to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The operation, which took 15-16 hours, involved a complex maritime journey and was carried out due to Machado's high profile and fear of persecution by the Maduro regime. Stern described the operation as one of the most challenging and rewarding, and praised Machado as a 'hero' and 'freedom fighter'.
Entities: María Corina Machado, Venezuela, Norway, Grey Bull Rescue Foundation, Bryan SternTone: positiveSentiment: positiveIntent: inform

Machado's trip to Oslo was long, dangerous but she says she plans to return to Venezuela "as soon as possible" - CBS News

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado plans to return to Venezuela 'as soon as possible' despite the risk of prosecution by President Nicolas Maduro's regime. Machado escaped from Venezuela to accept the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway, where she was reunited with her children for the first time in nearly two years. She described her journey as a recognition for the Venezuelan people's fight against the 'criminal, narcoterrorist structure.' Machado declined to detail her escape, which was facilitated by an American rescue team. Her children, who live abroad, are concerned about her return, but Machado believes it's essential to go back. She stated that Maduro's regime is 'falling apart' and becoming 'more aggressive' and 'more violent.'
Entities: María Corina Machado, Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela, Norway, Nobel Peace PrizeTone: positiveSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Venezuela's María Corina Machado appears open to U.S. military pressure against Maduro - CBS News

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado appears open to U.S. military pressure against President Nicolas Maduro, stating that she welcomes 'more and more pressure' to oust Maduro. Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, clarified that the situation in Venezuela is not comparable to other cases of regime change in the Middle East, as they had a legitimate election with over 70% of the population voting for change. The Trump administration has been increasing pressure on Maduro, including imposing sanctions and conducting military operations in the region. Machado's comments come as the U.S. continues to build up its military presence in the area, with President Trump threatening land strikes against suspected drug smuggling operations.
Entities: María Corina Machado, Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela, United States, Donald TrumpTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Special forces veteran who rescued Machado begs her not to return to Venezuela | CNNClose icon

A US special forces veteran, Bryan Stern, who led a rescue operation to extract Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado from Venezuela, has begged her not to return to the country. The operation, carried out by the Grey Bull Rescue Foundation, lasted nearly 16 hours and was conducted largely at night through rough waters. Machado was taken to Norway to accept her Nobel Peace Prize and reunite with her daughter. Stern's team has carried out 800 operations and rescued over 8,000 people, but this was one of the most high-risk operations due to Machado's high profile and the involvement of Venezuelan, Cuban, and Russian intelligence services.
Entities: María Corina Machado, Bryan Stern, Venezuela, Grey Bull Rescue Foundation, CNNTone: neutralSentiment: positiveIntent: inform

Venezuelan leader María Corina Machado credits Trump for democracy support | Fox News

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado credits Donald Trump for supporting Venezuela's pro-democracy movement and dedicates her Nobel Peace Prize to him. Machado, who was barred from running in the 2024 presidential election, expressed gratitude for Trump's gestures and signals of support during a difficult time for Venezuelans. She hopes to visit the U.S. and meet Trump to formally honor him. Machado re-emerged publicly in Oslo, Norway, after 11 months in hiding and continues to call for a peaceful transition away from Maduro's rule.
Entities: María Corina Machado, Donald Trump, Venezuela, Nobel Peace Prize, OsloTone: positiveSentiment: positiveIntent: inform

Behind the Venezuelan Opposition Leader’s Daring Escape to Oslo - The New York Times

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado made a daring escape to Oslo to potentially accept the Nobel Peace Prize. She had been in hiding from the Venezuelan regime led by President Nicolás Maduro. A U.S.-based company, Grey Bull Rescue, orchestrated her evacuation, which involved evading military checkpoints, traversing rough seas, and avoiding U.S. drone strikes. The operation, dubbed 'Golden Dynamite,' was complex and risky, requiring coordination with U.S. federal agencies to avoid being targeted. Machado's escape highlights her continued influence in Venezuelan opposition politics and the tense standoff between Caracas and Washington.
Entities: María Corina Machado, Oslo, Nobel Peace Prize, Nicolás Maduro, Grey Bull RescueTone: neutralSentiment: positiveIntent: inform