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The daring getaway of political leader María Corina Machado involved a long, “scary” and soaking sea crossing in the pitch black of night, according to the American man who claims to have commanded the operation.

The Perilous Nighttime Voyage

The rescue organizer, who heads a rescue nonprofit, outlined the mission in a recent media appearance. It was perilous. It was scary,” said Stern, an ex-special forces operative, describing rough and moonless seas that also provided convenient cover for the flight.

“The sea conditions were ideal for us, but certainly not water that you would want to be on ... the bigger the swells, the harder it is for radar to see,” he remarked.

He described rendezvousing with Machado offshore after she left the country, where she had been lying low for over a year fearing targeting by the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.

A Detailed Escape Plan

Machado embarked on his boat for a half-day trip to an undisclosed location to board a flight, as part of planned just days before. The operation occurred at midnight – very little moon, a little bit of cloud cover, very hard to see, boats have no lights. Everyone was quite damp. My crew and I were drenched. She was also chilled and wet. She endured a grueling passage,” Stern added.

Regarding her state, he said, “She was very happy. She was thrilled. She was exhausted,” adding that about twenty-four people were directly involved within his team.

Confirmation and Concealment

Spokespeople for Machado confirmed that Stern’s foundation was behind the operation, which commenced earlier in the week. This report follows earlier stories 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 land operation, citing his company’s future work in the region.

Funding and US Involvement

He told media the mission was funded through “several benefactors” – with no US government figures involved. “The US government did not contribute a single penny, to my knowledge,” Stern said.

He said, however, that his group did coordinate informally with the American armed forces regarding locations and strategy, largely to avoid being mistakenly fired upon.

Next Steps and Admiration

Machado said she had US support to depart Venezuela. She has declared her intention to return home, though the specifics remain uncertain how or when.

Stern said his group would play no part in a return mission, as it focuses exclusively on extracting individuals from countries, not bringing them back. “That’s for her to determine for herself. But I think she should not go back. Yet she is determined. Maria is truly inspirational,” he concluded.