🔗 Share this article

The audacious getaway of political leader María Corina Machado involved a lengthy, “scary” and soaking sea crossing in the pitch black of night, according to the American man who says he led the operation.

A Perilous Nighttime Voyage

Bryan Stern, who heads a rescue nonprofit, outlined the mission in a recent interview. “It was dangerous. It was terrifying,” stated Stern, an ex-special forces operative, recounting rough and moonless seas that simultaneously offered 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 more difficult radar detection becomes,” Stern said.

He described meeting Machado out at sea after she departed from Venezuela, where she had been in hiding for over a year fearing persecution by the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

A Detailed Extraction

She boarded his boat for a 13- to 14-hour journey to an secret location to board a flight, in a mission planned just days before. The operation occurred at midnight – minimal moonlight, some cloud coverage, very hard to see, vessels running dark. All of us were pretty wet. My crew and I were drenched. She was also chilled and wet. She had a very arduous journey,” Stern added.

Describing her condition, he said, She was elated. She was thrilled. She was very tired,” and noted about two dozen people were directly involved within his team.

Verification and Disguise

A representative for Machado verified that Stern’s foundation was behind the operation, which began on Tuesday. This account comes after earlier stories 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 details about the land operation, referencing his organization's ongoing operations in the country.

Financing and American Role

He told media 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 said, however, that his group did “unofficially collaborate” with the American armed forces regarding positioning and plans, primarily to prevent being mistakenly fired upon.

Next Steps and Inspiration

The opposition leader stated she had US support to depart Venezuela. She has announced plans to return home, though it is not clear how or when.

Stern indicated his group would not be involved in a return mission, as it worked only on getting people out of countries, not bringing them back. “That’s for her to determine and for her to decide. Personally, I advise against returning. But she wants to. She is a genuine inspiration,” he said.