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This daring getaway of political leader María Corina Machado entailed a lengthy, “scary” and soaking sea crossing in the pitch black of night, according to the American man who claims to have commanded the operation.

The Perilous Nocturnal Voyage

The rescue organizer, who leads a nonprofit rescue organisation, outlined the operation in a recent media appearance. “It was dangerous. It was scary,” said Stern, a US special forces veteran, recounting rough and moonless seas that also provided ideal concealment for the escape.

“The sea conditions were ideal for us, but certainly not water that you would want to be on ... the higher the waves, the more difficult radar detection becomes,” he remarked.

He recalled rendezvousing with Machado offshore after she left Venezuela, where she had been in hiding for over a year due to fear of persecution by the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.

A Detailed Escape Plan

She boarded his boat for a half-day journey to an secret location to board a flight, in a mission orchestrated just four days earlier. The operation occurred at midnight – 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 also chilled and wet. She had a very arduous journey,” Stern noted.

Describing her condition, he commented, “She was very happy. She was very excited. She was very tired,” adding that about two dozen people were directly involved within his organization.

Confirmation and Concealment

A representative for Machado verified that Stern’s company was behind the operation, which began on Tuesday. This account comes after previous reporting that Machado used a wig and costume 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.

Financing and US Involvement

He stated publicly the endeavor was financed by “a few generous donors” – with no US officials involved. “The US government did not contribute a single penny, at least not that I know of,” Stern said.

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

Future Plans and Inspiration

The opposition leader stated she had US support to depart Venezuela. She has announced plans to return home, though the specifics remain uncertain how or when.

Stern indicated his group would not be involved in a return mission, as it focuses exclusively on getting people out of countries, not in. “That’s for her to determine and for her to decide. But I think she should not go back. Yet she is determined. Maria is truly inspirational,” he concluded.