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This audacious getaway of political leader María Corina Machado involved a lengthy, frightening and very wet boat journey in the pitch black of night, as detailed by the American man who says he led the mission.

A Perilous Nighttime Crossing

Bryan Stern, who leads a rescue nonprofit, outlined the mission in a recent media appearance. “It was dangerous. It was terrifying,” stated Stern, a US special forces veteran, recounting rough and moonless seas that simultaneously offered ideal concealment for the escape.

“The ocean was perfect for our purposes, but certainly not water that you would want to be on ... the higher the waves, the harder it is for radar to see,” he remarked.

He recalled meeting Machado out at sea after she departed from Venezuela, where she had been in hiding for over a year fearing persecution by the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

The Detailed Escape Plan

Machado embarked on his boat for a half-day trip to an secret location to catch a plane, as part of planned just four days earlier. The operation occurred at midnight – very little moon, some cloud coverage, extremely low visibility, boats have no lights. Everyone was quite damp. My crew and I were drenched. She was pretty cold and wet, too. She had a very arduous journey,” Stern added.

Describing her condition, he said, “She was very happy. She was very excited. She was very tired,” and noted about twenty-four people were actively participating within his organization.

Verification and Disguise

A representative for Machado confirmed that Stern’s foundation was responsible for the operation, which commenced earlier in the week. This account follows earlier stories that Machado wore a wig and a disguise to leave her safe house in a suburb of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

Stern did not divulge details about the ground segment, referencing his organization's ongoing operations in the region.

Financing and US Role

He stated publicly the mission was financed by “several benefactors” – with no US government figures involved. Official US funds were not used, at least not that I know of,” Stern said.

He said, however, that his group did coordinate informally with the American armed forces regarding locations and strategy, primarily to prevent being targeted by airstrikes.

Next Steps and Admiration

The opposition leader stated she had US support to leave Venezuela. She has announced plans to go back, though the specifics remain uncertain how or when.

Stern said his group would play no part in that operation, as it worked only on extracting individuals from countries, not in. “That’s for her to determine for herself. Personally, I advise against returning. Yet she is determined. She is a genuine inspiration,” he concluded.