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The audacious getaway of political leader María Corina Machado involved a long, “scary” and very wet boat journey in the dead of night, according to the US veteran who claims to have commanded the operation.

A Perilous Nighttime Voyage

Bryan Stern, who leads a nonprofit rescue organisation, outlined the operation in a recent media appearance. It was perilous. It was terrifying,” stated Stern, a US special forces veteran, recounting 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,” Stern said.

He described rendezvousing with Machado offshore after she departed from the country, where she had been in hiding for over a year fearing targeting by the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.

A Step-by-Step Escape Plan

She boarded his boat for a half-day trip to an undisclosed location to catch a plane, as part of orchestrated just days before. The operation occurred at midnight – minimal moonlight, some cloud coverage, very hard to see, boats have no lights. Everyone was quite damp. My crew and I were drenched. She was pretty cold and wet, too. She had a very arduous journey,” Stern added.

Describing her condition, he commented, She was elated. She was thrilled. She was exhausted,” adding that about two dozen people were actively participating within his team.

Verification and Disguise

Spokespeople for Machado verified that Stern’s company was responsible for the extraction, which commenced earlier in the week. This report follows earlier stories that Machado wore a wig and a disguise to flee her hideout in a outskirts of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

The veteran declined to share details about the land operation, citing his company’s future work in the region.

Funding and American Involvement

He told media the endeavor was financed by “a few generous donors” – none of whom were 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, largely to avoid being targeted by airstrikes.

Next Steps and Admiration

Machado said she had US support to leave Venezuela. She has declared her intention to return home, though it is not clear how or when.

Stern indicated his group would play no part in that operation, as it focuses exclusively on extracting individuals from countries, not in. “She must decide that and for her to decide. Personally, I advise against returning. Yet she is determined. She is a genuine inspiration,” he concluded.