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The daring escape of political leader María Corina Machado involved a long, frightening and soaking sea crossing in the pitch black of night, as detailed by the US veteran who claims to have commanded the mission.

The Dangerous Nocturnal Voyage

The rescue organizer, who leads a rescue nonprofit, outlined the mission in a newly published interview. “It was dangerous. It was terrifying,” stated Stern, an ex-special forces operative, recounting rough and moonless seas that simultaneously offered convenient cover for the escape.

“The sea conditions were ideal for us, but not water you'd choose to sail on ... the bigger the swells, the more difficult radar detection becomes,” Stern said.

He described rendezvousing with Machado offshore after she left Venezuela, where she had been lying low for over a year fearing targeting by the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.

A Detailed Escape Plan

She boarded his boat for a half-day journey to an secret location to catch a plane, as part of orchestrated just days before. The operation occurred at midnight – very little moon, a little bit of cloud cover, very hard to see, vessels running dark. All of us were pretty wet. My crew and I were drenched. She was also chilled and wet. She endured a grueling passage,” Stern added.

Describing her condition, he said, She was elated. She was very excited. She was exhausted,” adding that about twenty-four people were directly involved within his team.

Verification and Disguise

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

The veteran declined to share specifics about the land operation, referencing his company’s future work in the country.

Financing and American Role

He told media the mission was financed by “a few generous donors” – none of whom were 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 positioning and plans, largely to avoid being targeted by airstrikes.

Future Plans and Admiration

Machado said she had US support to leave Venezuela. She has announced plans to go back, though the specifics remain uncertain the method or timing.

Stern said his group would not be involved in that operation, as it focuses exclusively on extracting individuals from countries, not bringing them back. “That’s for her to determine for herself. But I think she should not go back. Yet she is determined. She is a genuine inspiration,” he concluded.