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This daring getaway of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado entailed a long, frightening and very wet boat journey in the pitch black of night, according to the American man who says he led the mission.

The Perilous Nighttime Crossing

Bryan Stern, who leads a rescue nonprofit, outlined the operation in a newly published interview. “It was dangerous. It was scary,” said Stern, a US special forces veteran, recounting dark and choppy conditions 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,” he remarked.

He described rendezvousing with Machado offshore after she departed from the country, where she had been lying low for over a year fearing persecution by the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.

The Step-by-Step Extraction

Machado embarked on his boat for a half-day journey to an undisclosed location to board a flight, in a mission orchestrated just days before. The operation occurred at midnight – minimal moonlight, a little bit of cloud cover, extremely low visibility, boats have no lights. All of us were pretty wet. My crew and I were drenched. She was also chilled and wet. She endured a grueling passage,” Stern noted.

Describing her condition, he said, She was elated. She was thrilled. She was exhausted,” adding that about two dozen people were directly involved within his team.

Confirmation and Disguise

A representative for Machado confirmed that Stern’s foundation was responsible for the extraction, which commenced earlier in the week. This report comes after previous reporting that Machado used a wig and costume to flee her safe house in a suburb of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

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

Funding and American Role

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

He clarified, though, that his group did “unofficially collaborate” with the American armed forces regarding positioning and plans, primarily to prevent being targeted by airstrikes.

Future Plans and Admiration

Machado said she had US support to depart Venezuela. She has declared her intention to return home, though it is not clear the method or timing.

Stern indicated his group would play no part in a return mission, as it focuses exclusively on getting people out of countries, not bringing them back. “She must decide that and for her to decide. Personally, I advise against returning. But she wants to. She is a genuine inspiration,” he concluded.