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This audacious getaway of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado involved a long, frightening and soaking sea crossing in the pitch black of night, as detailed by the American man who says he led the mission.

The Dangerous Nighttime Voyage

The rescue organizer, who leads a rescue nonprofit, detailed the mission in a recent interview. It was perilous. It was scary,” stated Stern, an ex-special forces operative, describing dark and choppy conditions that also provided ideal concealment for the flight.

“The ocean was perfect for our purposes, but not water you'd choose to sail on ... the higher the waves, the more difficult radar detection becomes,” he remarked.

He recalled rendezvousing with Machado offshore after she left the country, where she had been in hiding since August 2024 fearing persecution by the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.

The Step-by-Step Escape Plan

Machado embarked on his boat for a 13- to 14-hour journey to an undisclosed location to board a flight, in a mission planned just four days earlier. The operation occurred at midnight – very little moon, some cloud coverage, extremely low visibility, boats have no lights. Everyone was quite damp. My team and I were soaked to the gills. She was pretty cold and wet, too. She endured a grueling passage,” Stern added.

Describing her condition, he said, She was elated. She was thrilled. She was exhausted,” adding that about two dozen people were directly involved within his organization.

Verification and Disguise

A representative for Machado verified 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 flee her hideout in a outskirts of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

Stern did not divulge details about the land operation, referencing his company’s future work in the country.

Financing and US Role

He stated publicly the endeavor was funded through “several benefactors” – none of whom were US officials involved. “The US government did not contribute a single penny, to my knowledge,” Stern asserted.

He clarified, though, that his group did coordinate informally with the US military regarding locations and strategy, largely to avoid being targeted by airstrikes.

Future Plans and Admiration

Machado said she had American backing to depart Venezuela. She has announced plans to go back, though the specifics remain uncertain how or when.

Stern said his group would play no part in a return mission, as it worked only on getting people out of countries, not in. “She must decide that and for her to decide. Personally, I advise against returning. But she wants to. She is a genuine inspiration,” he concluded.