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This audacious escape of political leader María Corina Machado involved a lengthy, frightening and very wet sea crossing in the pitch black of night, according to the US veteran who claims to have commanded the mission.

The Dangerous Nocturnal Crossing

Bryan Stern, who heads a nonprofit rescue organisation, detailed the operation in a recent media appearance. “It was dangerous. It was scary,” stated Stern, a US special forces veteran, describing rough and moonless seas that also provided convenient cover for the escape.

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

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

A Step-by-Step Escape Plan

Machado embarked on his boat for a 13- to 14-hour trip to an secret location to board a flight, as part of orchestrated just four days earlier. “This was in the middle of the night – minimal moonlight, 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 had a very arduous journey,” Stern added.

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

Verification and Disguise

Spokespeople for Machado verified that Stern’s company was responsible for the extraction, which commenced earlier in the week. This report follows 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 specifics about the land operation, referencing his organization's ongoing operations in the country.

Funding and American Role

He told media the mission was financed by “several benefactors” – with no US government figures involved. Official US funds were not used, to my knowledge,” Stern asserted.

He said, however, that his group did “unofficially collaborate” with the US military regarding locations and strategy, primarily to prevent being mistakenly fired upon.

Next Steps and Inspiration

Machado said she had American backing to depart Venezuela. She has announced plans to return home, though the specifics remain uncertain the method or timing.

Stern indicated his group would not be involved in a return mission, as it focuses exclusively on extracting individuals from countries, not bringing them back. “She must decide that for herself. Personally, I advise against returning. Yet she is determined. She is a genuine inspiration,” he said.