🔗 Share this article

The audacious escape of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado entailed a long, “scary” and soaking sea crossing in the dead of night, according to the American man who says he led the mission.

A Dangerous Nocturnal Voyage

Bryan Stern, who heads a nonprofit rescue organisation, detailed the mission in a newly published interview. “It was dangerous. It was terrifying,” said Stern, an ex-special forces operative, recounting rough and moonless seas that simultaneously offered ideal concealment for the flight.

“The sea conditions were ideal for us, but not water you'd choose to sail on ... the bigger the swells, the harder it is for radar to see,” he remarked.

He recalled rendezvousing with Machado offshore after she departed from the country, where she had been in hiding for over a year due to fear of 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 secret location to catch a plane, in a mission planned just days before. The operation occurred at midnight – minimal moonlight, some cloud coverage, 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 had a very arduous journey,” Stern added.

Regarding her state, he commented, She was elated. She was thrilled. She was very tired,” and noted about two dozen people were directly involved within his organization.

Confirmation and Disguise

A representative for Machado verified that Stern’s company was behind the extraction, which commenced earlier in the week. This account follows earlier stories that Machado used a wig and costume to leave 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 Involvement

He told media the endeavor was financed by “several benefactors” – none of whom were US government figures involved. “The US government did not contribute a single penny, at least not that I know of,” Stern said.

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

Next Steps and Inspiration

The opposition leader stated she had American backing to depart Venezuela. She has declared her intention to go back, though it is not clear the method or timing.

Stern indicated his group would not be involved in that operation, as it focuses exclusively on extracting individuals from countries, not bringing them back. “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 said.