Venezuelan Opposition Leader's Covert Escape Amid U.S. Sanctions

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado executed a daring escape from Venezuela to accept the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, highlighting the ongoing political turmoil in the country. The operation was conducted by Grey Bull Rescue, a U.S. firm led by veteran Bryan Stern, who described the mission as perilous, involving navigation through military checkpoints and treacherous seas.

Machado had been in hiding since January after her detention following protests against President Nicolas Maduro's inauguration. Upon her successful arrival in Norway, her daughter accepted the award on her behalf, while Machado's escape underscores the complexities of U.S.-Venezuela relations amid escalating tensions and actions like the recent U.S. seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker.

The Maduro regime condemned the operation, accusing the U.S. of 'piracy', as Machado's escape represents a significant moment in the struggle for democracy in Venezuela, drawing international attention to the efforts against Maduro's government.