A rescue team based in the United States successfully facilitated the escape of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado from her home country last month. The operation, carried out by the Grey Bull team, was documented in a short video released recently, showcasing the dramatic circumstances surrounding Machado’s departure.
In early December 2023, after nearly a year of remaining out of the public eye, Machado left Venezuela to accept her Nobel Peace Prize in Norway. She embarked on her journey from the Venezuelan coast, boarding a boat that transported her to a designated rendezvous point in the Caribbean Sea. There, she was met by Grey Bull founder and special forces veteran Bryan Stern and his team, who were positioned on another vessel.
The edited video, spanning approximately two minutes, captures the moment when Machado arrived at the waiting boat under the cover of darkness. In the footage, Stern can be heard exclaiming, “That’s them, that’s them, that’s them,” as the lights from Machado’s vessel draw closer. After confirming her identity, he assists her in boarding his boat. The transfer itself is difficult to see, but the interaction is audible, with Stern greeting her: “Hi, María. My name is Bryan. Nice to meet you. I got you.” Machado responds, expressing her discomfort from the cold and wet conditions.
Upon boarding, Machado directly addressed the camera, stating, “I am María Corina Machado. I’m alive. I’m safe and very grateful to Grey Bull.” The video concludes with still images of Machado alongside Stern and his team, with Stern affirming their success: “Jackpot, jackpot, jackpot. Objective Golden Dynamite.” He later indicated that they were en route to Curaçao, an island situated near Venezuela.
The extraction mission, according to Grey Bull, lasted nearly 16 hours and involved navigating treacherous waters primarily during the night. Stern’s team has a notable track record, having conducted over 800 operations globally, focusing on civilian extractions.
Despite the high-profile nature of her escape, Machado refrained from commenting on the extraction operation itself, citing safety concerns for those involved. When previously asked about her support from the U.S. government, she acknowledged assistance but remained cautious, stating, “One day I will be able to tell you, because certainly I don’t want to put them in risk right now.”
Stern clarified that the operation’s funding came from anonymous donors and indicated that, to his knowledge, it did not involve direct support from the U.S. government. Nonetheless, he noted that his team had communicated with the U.S. military to inform them of their presence at sea during the mission.
As Machado prepares to accept her Nobel Peace Prize in Norway, the events surrounding her escape highlight the challenges faced by political figures in Venezuela and the lengths to which support networks will go to ensure their safety and freedom.
