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

A Perilous Nighttime Crossing

Bryan Stern, who leads a nonprofit rescue organisation, outlined the operation in a recent interview. “It was dangerous. It was terrifying,” stated Stern, an ex-special forces operative, describing rough and moonless seas that simultaneously offered ideal concealment for the flight.

“The sea conditions were ideal for us, but not water you'd choose to sail on ... the higher the waves, the harder it is for radar to see,” Stern said.

He described rendezvousing with Machado offshore after she departed from Venezuela, where she had been in hiding since August 2024 fearing persecution by the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.

The Step-by-Step Extraction

She boarded his boat for a 13- to 14-hour journey to an undisclosed location to board a flight, as part of planned just days before. “This was in the middle of the night – minimal moonlight, a little bit of cloud cover, extremely low visibility, vessels running dark. All of us were pretty wet. My crew and I were drenched. She was pretty cold and wet, too. She had a very arduous journey,” Stern noted.

Describing her condition, he said, “She was very happy. She was thrilled. She was very tired,” and noted about two dozen people were actively participating within his organization.

Verification and Concealment

A representative for Machado verified that Stern’s foundation was behind the operation, which commenced earlier in the week. This report follows earlier stories that Machado used a wig and costume to flee her hideout in a suburb of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

Stern did not divulge specifics about the ground segment, citing his organization's ongoing operations in the country.

Financing and American Role

He stated publicly the mission was financed by “several benefactors” – none of whom were US government figures involved. Official US funds were not used, at least not that I know of,” Stern asserted.

He said, however, that his group did “unofficially collaborate” with the American armed forces regarding locations and strategy, largely to avoid being targeted by airstrikes.

Next Steps and Inspiration

Machado said she had US support to leave Venezuela. She has announced plans to return home, though it is not clear how or when.

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