Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado managed to flee Venezuela on Tuesday in a covert operation reportedly supported by the United States, diplomatic sources revealed to The Wall Street Journal.
The activist allegedly escaped by boat from the country's western coast to the island of Curaçao. From there, she was flown on a private jet to Oslo, Norway, as reported by the newspaper.
The private jet is said to have departed from Miami, picking up Machado in Curaçao, with a technical stop in Bangor, Maine, before heading to Europe.
Her departure coincided with the eve of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, where her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa Machado, accepted the award on her behalf.
Machado had been in hiding for 16 months, evading an arrest warrant issued by Nicolás Maduro's regime. Over a hundred of her associates are imprisoned, while others have been forced to hide or seek asylum to avoid capture by the Chavista intelligence services.
The escape plan was shrouded in secrecy and coordinated with international allies to ensure her safety and secure her exit from the country.
Speculation about her whereabouts had circulated for days, even fueled by Chavista regime spokespeople who falsely claimed she had left the country weeks earlier.
"Many people risked their lives so I could travel to Oslo. I am deeply grateful. This is a testament to what this recognition means for the Venezuelan people," Machado stated during a phone call with the Nobel Committee.
Machado added she would not arrive in time for the ceremony but was en route to Oslo.
The Nobel Committee did not disclose the details of the timing or location of her call.
The Maduro government has not officially commented on Machado's departure, despite her being banned from leaving the country for over a decade.
Machado had been the target of a political persecution campaign and threats, including constant surveillance by Venezuelan intelligence services.
In an interview with Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, Kristian Berg Harpviken, director of the Nobel Institute, confirmed that the relocation was "more complicated than anticipated" due to threats against Machado's life.
"She lives under a death threat from the regime, plain and simple. That threat extends beyond Venezuela's borders," he noted.
In May, five close collaborators of Machado, who had taken refuge for a year in the Argentine embassy in Caracas, also managed to leave the country in a secret operation supported by the United States.
The specifics of that operation, as well as Machado's escape, remain confidential for security reasons.
The Venezuelan opposition leader has been one of the staunchest critics of the Chavista regime, condemning the corruption, repression, and humanitarian crisis plaguing Venezuela.
Key Questions about Maria Corina Machado's Escape
How did Maria Corina Machado leave Venezuela?
Maria Corina Machado escaped Venezuela by boat to Curaçao, where she then boarded a private jet to Oslo, Norway, with the assistance of the United States.
Why was Maria Corina Machado in hiding?
Machado was in hiding to avoid an arrest warrant issued by Nicolás Maduro's regime, which has been targeting opposition figures.
What role did the United States play in Machado's escape?
The United States provided support for the secret operation that enabled Maria Corina Machado's escape from Venezuela.