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This audacious getaway of political leader María Corina Machado involved a lengthy, frightening and very wet sea crossing in the dead of night, according to the US veteran who says he led the operation.

A Perilous Nighttime Crossing

The rescue organizer, who leads a nonprofit rescue organisation, outlined the mission in a recent interview. “It was dangerous. It was terrifying,” said Stern, an ex-special forces operative, recounting dark and choppy conditions 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,” he remarked.

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

The Detailed Escape Plan

She boarded his boat for a half-day 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, a little bit of cloud cover, very hard to see, vessels running dark. Everyone was quite damp. My team and I were soaked to the gills. She was also chilled and wet. She had a very arduous journey,” Stern added.

Regarding her state, he said, “She was very happy. She was very excited. She was very tired,” and noted about twenty-four people were directly involved within his team.

Confirmation and Disguise

A representative for Machado verified that Stern’s foundation was responsible for the operation, which began on Tuesday. This report comes after previous reporting that Machado used a wig and costume to flee her safe house in a outskirts of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

The veteran declined to share details about the ground segment, citing his company’s future work in the country.

Financing and US Role

He told media the mission was financed by “a few generous donors” – with no US government figures involved. “The US government did not contribute a single penny, at least not that I know of,” Stern asserted.

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

Next Steps and Admiration

The opposition leader stated she had American backing to leave Venezuela. She has announced plans to go back, though it is not clear how or when.

Stern said his group would play no part in that operation, as it focuses exclusively 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. Yet she is determined. Maria is truly inspirational,” he said.