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The daring escape of political leader María Corina Machado entailed a long, “scary” and very wet boat journey in the pitch black of night, according to the American man who says he led the operation.

A Perilous Nighttime Crossing

The rescue organizer, who heads a nonprofit rescue organisation, outlined the mission in a recent media appearance. “It was dangerous. It was scary,” stated Stern, a US special forces veteran, recounting rough and moonless seas that simultaneously offered ideal concealment for the escape.

“The sea conditions were ideal for us, but not water you'd choose to sail on ... the bigger the swells, the more difficult radar detection becomes,” he remarked.

He described rendezvousing with Machado offshore after she departed from Venezuela, where she had been in hiding since August 2024 due to fear of persecution by the government 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, as part of orchestrated just four days earlier. The operation occurred at midnight – minimal moonlight, a little bit of cloud cover, extremely low visibility, boats have no lights. Everyone was quite damp. My crew and I were drenched. She was also chilled and wet. She endured a grueling passage,” Stern noted.

Regarding her state, he said, “She was very happy. She was very excited. She was exhausted,” and noted about twenty-four people were actively participating within his team.

Confirmation and Concealment

Spokespeople for Machado verified that Stern’s foundation was responsible for the operation, which began on Tuesday. This report follows earlier stories 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 ground segment, referencing his organization's ongoing operations in the region.

Funding and American Role

He told media the mission 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 asserted.

He said, however, that his group did “unofficially collaborate” with the US military regarding locations and strategy, largely to avoid being targeted by airstrikes.

Next Steps and Inspiration

Machado said she had US support to leave Venezuela. She has announced plans to go back, though the specifics remain uncertain how or when.

Stern indicated his group would not be involved in that operation, as it focuses exclusively on getting people out of countries, not in. “She must decide that for herself. Personally, I advise against returning. Yet she is determined. She is a genuine inspiration,” he said.