Venezuelan Opposition Leader Maria Corina Machado's Escape to Oslo

According to the New York Times, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado made a dramatic escape from Venezuela to Oslo, facilitated by U.S. veterans from the Grey Bull Rescue Foundation. After spending over a year in hiding from President Nicolas Maduro's regime, Machado aimed to attend the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.

The operation, orchestrated by veteran Bryan Stern, involved navigating military checkpoints and rough seas, culminating in a secretive land, sea, and air operation. Machado's escape, dubbed Operation Golden Dynamite, faced significant challenges, including a last-minute change in rendezvous due to her initial boat's failure to arrive.

Ultimately, she was successfully extracted and whisked to a Caribbean island before boarding a private plane to Norway, arriving too late for the ceremony. Stern described Machado as 'tougher than the crusty veterans helping her escape,' highlighting her resilience during the perilous journey.

NPR noted that Machado's escape underscores the ongoing struggles of the Venezuelan opposition and the international support for key figures in the fight against the Maduro regime.