A former special forces operative who played a pivotal role in Maria Corina Machado's escape from Venezuela has implored her not to return to the country. The daring operation, which spanned nearly 16 hours and traversed treacherous waters under the cover of darkness, was a testament to the risks involved. Bryan Stern, the founder of Grey Bull Rescue Foundation, described it as the most challenging and high-profile mission his team had ever undertaken.
The operation's complexity was heightened by Machado's prominence. Her face and signature were widely recognized, and she was a target for the Venezuelan and Cuban intelligence services, as well as parts of the Russian intelligence apparatus. This heightened awareness made the mission significantly riskier than any previous endeavor.
Stern's team has executed 800 operations and rescued over 8,000 individuals, but this was the first time they had to navigate such high-stakes circumstances. The operation's success was made possible by anonymous donors, and Stern confirmed that the US government was not involved.
However, Stern did communicate with the US military to inform them of their presence at sea, a move aimed at avoiding potential targeting in the ongoing US operation against drug boats in the Caribbean. Despite the risks, Stern advised Machado against returning to Venezuela, citing the potential dangers she faced.
Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, had been in hiding for almost a year after the Venezuelan government's efforts to suppress dissent following a disputed election. Her public appearance in Oslo, where she accepted the Nobel Prize and reunited with her daughter, marked a significant moment in her journey.
