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This audacious escape of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado entailed a lengthy, “scary” and soaking sea crossing in the pitch black of night, as detailed by the US veteran who claims to have commanded the operation.

The Perilous Nocturnal Crossing

The rescue organizer, who leads a nonprofit rescue organisation, detailed the operation in a newly published interview. “It was dangerous. It was scary,” said Stern, an ex-special forces operative, describing dark and choppy conditions that also provided ideal concealment for the escape.

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

He described meeting Machado out at sea after she left 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 secret location to board a flight, as part of 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 crew and I were drenched. 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 very tired,” adding that about twenty-four people were directly involved within his team.

Verification and Disguise

A representative for Machado confirmed that Stern’s foundation was responsible for the operation, which began on Tuesday. This account comes after previous reporting that Machado wore a wig and a disguise to leave her safe house in a outskirts of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

Stern did not divulge specifics about the ground segment, referencing his organization's ongoing operations in the country.

Financing and US Role

He stated publicly the mission was financed by “several benefactors” – none of whom were US officials involved. Official US funds were not used, at least not that I know of,” Stern said.

He clarified, though, that his group did coordinate informally with the US military regarding locations and strategy, primarily to prevent being targeted by airstrikes.

Next Steps and Admiration

The opposition leader stated she had American backing to depart Venezuela. She has announced plans to go back, 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. “That’s for her to determine and for her to decide. But I think she should not go back. But she wants to. Maria is truly inspirational,” he said.