Operation allegedly completed 4 AM ET Saturday via Caribbean extraction. Machado, 56, had been underground since July election disputes. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levit dodged questions at 11 AM briefing: 'Monitoring regional stability.' Follows US sanctions on Maduro nephews Thursday[1].

US Evacuates Venezuela's Machado

US Evacuates Venezuelan Opposition Leader Machado in Covert Op

December 13, 2025 • 1 min read • venezuela , machado

Image: Pexels

Unconfirmed reports emerge Saturday, December 13, 2025, that US aided evacuation of Nobel winner Maria Corina Machado from Venezuela after months in hiding, per breaking wires.

Overview

Reports surfaced early Saturday, December 13, 2025, claiming US forces evacuated Venezuelan opposition figure and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado from hiding, escalating pressure on President Maduro[1][2].

Key Developments

Operation allegedly completed 4 AM ET Saturday via Caribbean extraction.
Machado, 56, had been underground since July election disputes.
White House Press Secretary Caroline Levit dodged questions at 11 AM briefing: 'Monitoring regional stability.'
Follows US sanctions on Maduro nephews Thursday[1].

Analysis

Factor	Current Status	Implications
Economic	Oil tanker seizures continue	Venezuela exports down 30%
Political	Opposition gains global voice	Maduro grip weakens pre-2026 vote
Social	Protests reignite in Caracas	5M refugees eye return

Expert Reactions

'Game-changer for democracy,' said exiled VP Edmundo Gonzalez on X at 8 AM. Analyst R. Evan Ellis: 'Signals no more kid gloves.'

What's Next

Machado to address UN Monday, December 15; potential interim govt talks by year-end.