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This daring escape of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado entailed a lengthy, frightening and very wet boat journey in the dead of night, as detailed by the US veteran who claims to have commanded the mission.

A Dangerous Nocturnal Crossing

The rescue organizer, who heads a rescue nonprofit, detailed the operation in a newly published interview. “It was dangerous. It was scary,” said Stern, an ex-special forces operative, describing rough and moonless seas that also provided convenient cover for the flight.

“The sea conditions were ideal for us, but certainly not water that you would want to be on ... the higher the waves, the harder it is for radar to see,” Stern said.

He recalled meeting Machado out at sea after she departed from the country, where she had been lying low for over a year due to fear of persecution by the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

The Step-by-Step Escape Plan

Machado embarked on his boat for a half-day trip to an undisclosed location to board a flight, in a mission planned just four days earlier. “This was in the middle of the night – very little moon, some cloud coverage, very hard to see, vessels running dark. All of us were pretty wet. My team and I were soaked to the gills. She was pretty cold and wet, too. She endured a grueling passage,” Stern added.

Describing her condition, he commented, “She was very happy. She was very excited. She was exhausted,” and noted about two dozen people were actively participating within his team.

Confirmation and Concealment

A representative for Machado verified that Stern’s company was responsible for the extraction, which began on Tuesday. This account follows previous reporting that Machado wore a wig and a disguise to flee her safe house in a suburb of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

Stern did not divulge specifics about the land operation, citing his company’s future work in the region.

Financing and American Role

He stated publicly the endeavor was financed by “several benefactors” – none of whom were US officials involved. “The US government did not contribute a single penny, to my knowledge,” Stern asserted.

He clarified, though, that his group did “unofficially collaborate” with the American armed forces regarding locations and strategy, largely to avoid being mistakenly fired upon.

Next Steps and Admiration

The opposition leader stated she had US support to leave 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 that operation, as it focuses exclusively on extracting individuals from countries, not bringing them back. “She must decide that for herself. But I think she should not go back. Yet she is determined. She is a genuine inspiration,” he said.