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The audacious escape of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado entailed a lengthy, frightening and very wet boat journey in the pitch black of night, as detailed by the US veteran who claims to have commanded the operation.

A Dangerous Nighttime Voyage

The rescue organizer, who heads a nonprofit rescue organisation, detailed the mission in a newly published media appearance. “It was dangerous. It was terrifying,” stated Stern, an ex-special forces operative, describing rough and moonless seas 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 more difficult radar detection becomes,” Stern said.

He described rendezvousing with Machado offshore after she left the country, where she had been in hiding for over a year fearing persecution by the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

The Step-by-Step Escape Plan

She boarded his boat for a 13- to 14-hour trip to an undisclosed location to board a flight, as part of planned just days before. “This was in the middle of the night – very little moon, some cloud coverage, extremely low visibility, vessels running dark. All of us were pretty wet. My crew and I were drenched. She was also chilled and wet. She endured a grueling passage,” Stern added.

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

Confirmation and Concealment

Spokespeople for Machado confirmed that Stern’s company was responsible for the extraction, which commenced earlier in the week. This account follows earlier stories that Machado used a wig and costume to leave her hideout in a suburb of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

The veteran declined to share details about the ground segment, referencing his organization's ongoing operations in the country.

Funding and US Involvement

He stated publicly the endeavor was funded through “a few generous donors” – none of whom were US government figures involved. “The US government did not contribute a single penny, to my knowledge,” Stern said.

He clarified, though, that his group did “unofficially collaborate” with the US military regarding positioning and plans, largely to avoid being mistakenly fired upon.

Future Plans and Admiration

The opposition leader stated she had American backing to depart Venezuela. She has declared her intention to go back, 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 extracting individuals from countries, not in. “She must decide that and for her to decide. But I think she should not go back. Yet she is determined. She is a genuine inspiration,” he concluded.