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This daring escape of political leader María Corina Machado entailed a long, frightening and soaking boat journey in the pitch black of night, as detailed by the US veteran who says he led the operation.

The Perilous Nocturnal Crossing

Bryan Stern, who leads a nonprofit rescue organisation, outlined the operation in a recent interview. “It was dangerous. It was terrifying,” stated Stern, an ex-special forces operative, recounting dark and choppy conditions that simultaneously offered convenient cover for the escape.

“The sea conditions were ideal for us, but not water you'd choose to sail on ... the bigger the swells, the harder it is for radar to see,” Stern said.

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

The Detailed Escape Plan

She boarded his boat for a half-day journey to an undisclosed location to catch a plane, in a mission orchestrated just days before. “This was in the middle of the night – 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 added.

Describing her condition, he said, She was elated. She was thrilled. She was exhausted,” adding that about twenty-four people were actively participating within his organization.

Verification and Disguise

Spokespeople for Machado confirmed that Stern’s foundation was behind the extraction, which began on Tuesday. This report follows previous reporting that Machado used a wig and costume to leave her hideout in a outskirts of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

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

Funding and US Involvement

He told media the mission was funded through “a few generous donors” – with no US officials involved. “The US government did not contribute a single penny, to my knowledge,” Stern asserted.

He said, however, that his group did coordinate informally with the US military regarding positioning and plans, largely to avoid being targeted by airstrikes.

Next Steps and Admiration

Machado said she had American backing to depart Venezuela. She has declared her intention to return home, though the specifics remain uncertain how or when.

Stern said his group would not be involved in a return mission, as it focuses exclusively on getting people out of countries, not bringing them back. “She must decide that for herself. But I think she should not go back. Yet she is determined. Maria is truly inspirational,” he concluded.