Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient María Corina Machado has arrived in Norway following a carefully coordinated departure from Venezuela, marking her first public appearance in nearly a year. The move came shortly after the Nobel ceremony in Oslo, where her daughter accepted the award on her behalf.
According to individuals familiar with the journey, Machado’s exit involved a complex, multi-stage route that unfolded mostly under cover of darkness. The operation began with discreet overland travel inside Venezuela, followed by a sea crossing that connected her to an offshore rendezvous. From there, she continued on to the Caribbean before boarding a commercial flight bound for Europe.
The mission was organized by Grey Bull Rescue Foundation, a U.S.-based group led by former military and intelligence personnel that specializes in evacuations from high-risk environments. The organization has previously carried out hundreds of rescue operations worldwide, but its founder described this effort as unusually sensitive due to Machado’s international profile and the intense attention surrounding her movements.
Machado had largely remained out of public view since Venezuela’s disputed election last year, after authorities intensified pressure on opposition figures. Apart from a brief appearance at a protest earlier this year, she had not been seen publicly until her arrival in Oslo. Supporters gathered outside the Grand Hotel welcomed her appearance from a balcony, where she acknowledged the crowd and spoke of hope for Venezuela’s future.
During her stay in Norway, Machado was reunited with her daughter for the first time in two years and met with members of the Venezuelan diaspora. In brief remarks, she emphasized the resilience of Venezuelans both inside and outside the country and reiterated her commitment to democratic change.
Questions remain regarding who financed the operation and whether any governments were involved. Machado has previously said she received international support but has avoided specifics, citing safety concerns. The rescue organization stated that the mission was funded by private donors and not directed by any government, while Dutch officials denied involvement related to transit through the Caribbean.
The journey has also raised uncertainty about Machado’s next steps. Those involved in the evacuation have publicly urged her not to return to Venezuela, warning of serious personal risk. Her representatives have declined to comment on future plans or operational details.
Machado’s arrival in Europe underscores both the personal danger faced by prominent political opponents in Venezuela and the international attention surrounding the country’s ongoing political crisis.
