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This daring escape of political leader María Corina Machado involved a long, “scary” and very wet boat journey in the pitch black of night, as detailed by the American man who claims to have commanded the operation.

A Dangerous Nighttime Voyage

Bryan Stern, who leads a rescue nonprofit, outlined the mission in a recent media appearance. It was perilous. It was terrifying,” stated Stern, a US special forces veteran, recounting rough and moonless seas that simultaneously offered convenient cover 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 described meeting Machado out at sea after she departed from Venezuela, where she had been lying low for over a year fearing persecution by the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

The Detailed Extraction

Machado embarked on his boat for a half-day trip 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, some cloud coverage, very hard to see, vessels running dark. All of us were pretty wet. My crew and I were drenched. She was pretty cold and wet, too. She endured a grueling passage,” Stern noted.

Regarding her state, he said, “She was very happy. She was thrilled. She was exhausted,” adding that about two dozen people were actively participating within his team.

Confirmation and Concealment

Spokespeople for Machado verified that Stern’s company was responsible for the extraction, which began on Tuesday. This account comes after earlier stories that Machado wore a wig and a disguise to leave her hideout in a suburb of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

The veteran declined to share details about the land operation, referencing his organization's ongoing operations in the country.

Funding and US Involvement

He stated publicly the endeavor was funded through “a few generous donors” – none of whom were US officials involved. Official US funds were not used, at least not that I know of,” Stern said.

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

Future Plans and Admiration

The opposition leader stated she had American backing to leave Venezuela. She has declared her intention to return home, though the specifics remain uncertain the method or timing.

Stern indicated his group would not be involved in that operation, as it focuses exclusively on extracting individuals from countries, not in. “She must decide that for herself. Personally, I advise against returning. But she wants to. Maria is truly inspirational,” he concluded.