In an extraordinary tale of courage and determination, María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader and recent Nobel Peace Prize laureate, successfully escaped her home country with the help of U.S. military veterans. After her movement overwhelmingly defeated President Nicolás Maduro in the previous year’s election, Machado went into hiding for over a year due to Maduro’s refusal to relinquish power and his subsequent crackdown on opposition figures.
The effort to facilitate Machado’s escape to Oslo was spearheaded by Bryan Stern, a U.S. Special Forces veteran and founder of the Grey Bull Rescue Foundation. Stern and his team of veterans have conducted numerous extraction missions globally, but he noted that this particular operation, dubbed Operation Golden Dynamite—an homage to Alfred Nobel—was uniquely challenging. “She’s the second most popular person in the Western Hemisphere after Maduro,” Stern explained, underscoring the dangers involved in the operation.
With only a week to strategize, the team ruled out any land routes due to the risk of recognition at multiple checkpoints. They opted instead for a maritime escape, needing to navigate an area heavily patrolled by the U.S. military due to ongoing efforts to combat narco-trafficking. Stern was meticulous in choosing a discreet boat to ensure they wouldn’t attract undue attention, understanding firsthand the level of danger involved.
A further complication arose when the boat tasked with picking Machado up failed to reach the designated rendezvous point. In a tense turn of events, Stern’s team had to adapt their plans and move to meet Machado in rough seas amid the uncertainty of who might be approaching them.
As they neared, a familiar voice pierced the darkness: “It’s me — María!” With Machado safely aboard, they made the final smooth journey to an undisclosed Caribbean island, likely Curaçao, where a private flight awaited to take her to the Nobel ceremony.
Stern expressed admiration not only for Machado’s bravery in the face of danger but for her unwavering spirit throughout the harrowing night. “We’re all bitching and moaning — it’s cold, it’s wet, we’re hungry, it’s dark,” he recalled, noting that Machado never once complained during the journey. This experience solidified her reputation as Venezuela’s “Iron Lady,” a title that now represents not just her political resilience but her extraordinary courage.
This remarkable operation highlights the unyielding spirit of those fighting for democracy and justice in difficult circumstances and showcases the profound connections formed through shared struggles for freedom.