Venezuelan Opposition Leader and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Maria Corina Machado was forced to undertake a high-risk, clandestine escape from her country after facing constant surveillance and the threat of arrest by Venezuelan authorities. With conventional travel routes closed off, a secret evacuation plan was devised to ensure her safe departure.

The mission, code-named Operation Golden Dynamite, was coordinated by Bryan Stern, a US special forces veteran and founder of the Grey Bull Rescue Foundation. The operation’s name referenced Alfred Nobel’s invention of dynamite and Machado’s urgent journey to Oslo to accept the prestigious award for her pro-democracy efforts.

To avoid detection, Machado reportedly disguised herself and was moved discreetly to the Venezuelan coastline. The most dangerous phase of the mission involved a nighttime sea evacuation, during which she was transferred between two boats in rough waters, with waves reaching up to 10 feet and visibility reduced to near zero.

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Stern described the journey as extremely perilous, taking place in freezing temperatures and complete darkness, with only flashlights used for communication. Strict measures were taken to conceal Machado’s identity, including masking her face and eliminating digital and biometric traces that could have exposed her location.

After reaching a secure location, Machado boarded a flight out of the region, successfully completing the operation after an earlier attempt had failed. Despite the harsh conditions, she remained calm throughout the ordeal. The rescue team also ensured the safety of local helpers by keeping identities secret, underscoring the complexity and precision behind the daring mission.

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