Machado dramatically escapes Venezuela despite storms
Maria Karina Machado has been in hiding for a long time, fearing repression and disappearance from the Nicolas Maduro government. In the meantime, she learned that she was going to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. So she quickly planned to flee Venezuela.
A US rescue team called Gray Bull has told the story of how she was taken to safety at sea after a long fight in the storm. The video they released shows how Maria escaped and reached Norway. CNN News
A video released by Gray Bull shows Machado being lifted from a small boat in rough seas to a speeding ship. In the video, Machado himself confirmed that he was ‘alive and safe’. It was his first public appearance after months of hiding in Venezuela.
Brian Stern, founder of the rescue team, said the operation began with a boat off the coast of Venezuela and Machado was picked up in international waters. The US rescue team was waiting in another boat in the middle of the ocean.
A two-minute video released on Friday (January 16) shows Machado boarding a second boat late at night. When Machado’s boat lights are seen in the distance, Stern can be heard saying, “They’re them.” After confirming Machado’s identity, Stern helps him onto the boat, although the video does not show him.
As they board the boat, Stern can be heard saying, “Hi, Maria. My name is Brian. It’s nice to meet you. I got you safely.” Machado replies, “I’m very wet, I’m very cold.” Later in the video, Machado, wearing a black jacket and hat, can be seen speaking directly to the camera, “I’m Maria Karina Machado. I’m alive. I’m safe and very grateful to Gray Bull.”
The video ends with a still of Machado with Stern and his team. Stern’s voice can be heard over the images, confirming that they have successfully reached him. At this point, Stern says they are heading towards the island of Curacao, near Venezuela.
Stern says they arrived at shore in the early hours of the morning after a long, cold and tense journey. From there, Machado boarded a plane to Norway, where he accepted the Nobel Prize and met with his family.
Gray Bull said the rescue operation lasted about 16 hours, much of it late at night in rough seas. The team works to rescue civilians around the world. Under Stern’s leadership, it has conducted at least 800 missions.
Machado declined to comment on the rescue operation before last Friday, citing security concerns. CNN reached out to his team for comment, but did not receive a response.
However, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Machado said that he had received support from the US government. However, he did not want to give details. At the time, Machado said, “One day I will tell everything. Because now I do not want to put them at risk.”
Captain Stern of the Grey Bull said that the operation to rescue Machado was funded by anonymous donors. He confirmed that no direct support had been received from the US government. However, he admitted that his team was in contact with the US military about their presence at sea.
The wife of Venezuelan Prime Minister Maduro has been detained in a special American operation. She is on trial for drug trafficking. Delis Rodriguez is currently serving as Venezuela’s interim head of government. However, the whereabouts of the country’s opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Machado are unknown. However, several media outlets around the world have reported that he may be outside Europe.
