Washington, Jan 17 (NationPress) Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado shared the terrifying details of her escape by sea from her homeland, revealing that she feared for her life during the treacherous journey that led her to the United States amid escalating pressure from the Maduro regime.

“At one point during the trip, while on the boat, I was injured due to the high waves, which were over six feet,” Machado recounted during a press conference at the Heritage Foundation in Washington.

She explained that severe winds rocked the boat and crucial navigation systems malfunctioned simultaneously. “We became lost at sea. Our GPS signal vanished,” she stated. “The satellite phone ceased functioning, and even the Starlink antenna failed, all at once.”

Machado described the ordeal as “extremely risky, perilous, and frightening,” lasting several hours. “But ultimately, as I always say, we have persevered,” she noted.

She opted not to share further specifics due to safety concerns for those who assisted her. “For the safety of those involved… I will refrain from sharing details until the regime can no longer threaten them,” she explained.

Machado expressed her belief that her survival was no coincidence. “That’s why I consider it a miracle,” she said. “I am here, and I am confident that one day I will be able to share all the details with you.”

Discussing U.S. policy, Machado framed the crisis as involving criminal networks rather than personal rivalries. “This is about the cartel and justice,” she stated. “This is about a criminal structure that is the regime.”

She emphasized that her movement represents millions of Venezuelans. “I am just one participant in a vast movement of millions of Venezuelans committed to achieving freedom,” she declared.

Machado expressed confidence in U.S. backing. “I have no doubt that President Trump, his administration, and the American people support democracy, justice, freedom, and the will of the Venezuelan people,” she asserted.

She connected Venezuela’s future to U.S. security, stating, “The United States is a safer nation post-January 3rd,” adding that stability in Venezuela would yield “greater prosperity and strength in our hemisphere.”

“If the constitution were upheld, we wouldn’t have a thousand political prisoners,” she remarked when asked about a timeline for restoring democracy. The transition, she explained, involves several phases, starting with dismantling oppression. “All torture facilities must be shut down,” she insisted, calling for protections for journalists and the return of exiles.

She emphasized the urgency of locating missing detainees. “I’m referring to hundreds of individuals,” she noted. “They have simply vanished.”

Machado indicated that the regime has weaponized migration. “Migration in Venezuela was orchestrated by the regime,” she said, describing it as “incredibly painful.”

She argued that a democratic transition is essential for reversing migration patterns. “People are eager to return and contribute to the solution,” she stated, provided they have hope for freedom and security.