Maria Corina Machado Recounts Perilous Sea Escape From Venezuela

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has recounted a dramatic escape from Venezuela, describing how she narrowly survived a dangerous sea voyage undertaken amid escalating threats from President Nicolás Maduro’s government.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, Machado said the situation deteriorated rapidly during the trip. She explained, “There was a certain moment in the trip, in the boat, where I was hurt because the waves were very high, over six feet.”

“We got lost in the ocean. We lost the signal of the GPS,” Machado said. “The satellite phone stopped working. And the Starlink antenna did not work as well, all at the same time,” she added.

She explained that the group remained adrift for hours, unsure of their location or ability to seek help.

Describing the experience as highly dangerous and frightening, Machado said the uncertainty of the situation made the ordeal even more distressing.

Despite the peril, she said they continued moving forward and eventually managed to overcome the immediate danger, an experience she said strengthened her determination rather than weakening it.

Machado said she could not yet share further details of the escape, stressing that revealing more information could endanger those who assisted her. She added that she would disclose the full account only when the current authorities no longer harm those involved.

Reflecting on her survival, Machado said she believes it was not a matter of chance. She described her escape as miraculous and said she is confident that the time will come when she can recount every detail openly.

Call for Justice and Accountability in Venezuela

Turning to international policy, Machado said the struggle in Venezuela is not about individual rivalries but about dismantling a criminal system entrenched in power. She said the government operates as an organised structure that people must confront through justice and accountability.

She said her role represents only a small part of a much larger movement made up of millions of Venezuelans who have committed themselves to achieving freedom and democratic change.

Machado expressed strong confidence in continued support from the United States, saying she believes its leadership and people stand firmly for democracy, justice and respect for the Venezuelan people’s mandate.

When asked about the timeline for restoring democracy, Machado said that respecting the constitution would prevent the existence of thousands of political prisoners.

She also accused the authorities of deliberately using migration as a political weapon, describing the resulting displacement as deeply painful for Venezuelan families.

Machado added that people are willing to return and become part of the solution.

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