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This audacious escape of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado involved a long, “scary” and soaking boat journey in the dead of night, according to the US veteran who says he led the mission.

The Perilous Nighttime Crossing

The rescue organizer, who leads a nonprofit rescue organisation, detailed the mission in a recent interview. “It was dangerous. It was scary,” said Stern, an ex-special forces operative, describing rough and moonless seas that simultaneously offered convenient cover for the flight.

“The ocean was perfect for our purposes, but certainly not water that you would want to be on ... the bigger the swells, the more difficult radar detection becomes,” he remarked.

He recalled meeting Machado out at sea after she departed from the country, where she had been lying low since August 2024 fearing targeting by the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.

The Step-by-Step Extraction

Machado embarked on his boat for a 13- to 14-hour trip to an secret location to board a flight, 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, vessels running dark. All of us were pretty wet. My team and I were soaked to the gills. She was also chilled and wet. She endured a grueling passage,” Stern added.

Describing her condition, he said, “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

Spokespeople for Machado verified that Stern’s company was responsible for the extraction, which began on Tuesday. This account follows previous reporting that Machado wore a wig and a disguise to leave her hideout in a outskirts of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

Stern did not divulge specifics about the ground segment, referencing his company’s future work in the country.

Financing 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, at least not that I know of,” Stern asserted.

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

Future Plans 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 getting people out of countries, not bringing them back. “She must decide that and for her to decide. Personally, I advise against returning. But she wants to. Maria is truly inspirational,” he concluded.