Secret US Operation to Extract Venezuelan Opposition Leader’s Daughter

A covert US team was recently assigned to extract the daughter of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado after she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of Europe.

Brian Stern, a veteran of Special Forces and now president of the Gray Bull Rescue Foundation, shared insights into this perilous operation and detailed the measures taken to ensure her safe exit from Venezuela. “Honestly, it was a risky situation for her—very risky for everyone involved,” Stern remarked during an appearance on Fox News Radio.

Machado surprised many by showing up on a balcony in Oslo, Norway, quite a distance from her home country, just after receiving the prestigious award. Stern recounted that when he was first approached about the mission, he had no idea how prominent the figures involved were.

“Initially, I didn’t even realize it was Maria,” he mentioned, indicating that learning her identity shifted the stakes dramatically. “She has been my hero for many years, and being asked to participate in, let alone lead this operation, is probably the greatest privilege of my career,” he added.

The extraction journey involved land, air, and sea. At one point, Stern found himself on a small fishing boat navigating intense waves estimated between 5 to 10 feet high. He recalled a retired Marine on board who was feeling quite unwell due to the rough conditions. “Maria never complained,” Stern stated, calling her resilience during the ordeal “an inspiration.”

The team faced continuous threats from the military forces loyal to Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and remained vigilant until Machado reached Norway safely.

“When I saw Maria embrace my daughter, that’s when I could finally exhale,” Stern shared, reflecting on a moment of relief.

Machado has been in hiding since January after an arrest in Caracas, which her supporters claim happened while she was protesting against Maduro’s inauguration. Renowned for her criticism of Maduro and his administration’s disputed electoral processes, she is a significant figure in Venezuela’s main opposition movement.

Recognized for promoting democracy and human rights, Machado received the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. She expressed gratitude to former President Donald Trump for his backing against Maduro’s regime and dedicated her award to him.

On Wednesday, her daughter Ana Colina Sosa accepted the Nobel Prize on her mother’s behalf, affirming Machado’s relentless pursuit for a free Venezuela.

This operation occurs amid heightened US pressure on Maduro’s government. Early December also saw the confirmation of a US military action, seizing a tanker reportedly transporting illegal Iranian oil.