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The daring getaway of political leader María Corina Machado involved a long, frightening and soaking boat journey in the pitch black of night, according to the US veteran who says he led the mission.

The Perilous Nocturnal Crossing

Bryan Stern, who leads a rescue nonprofit, outlined the operation in a newly published media appearance. “It was dangerous. It was terrifying,” said Stern, an ex-special forces operative, describing rough and moonless seas that also provided 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,” Stern said.

He described rendezvousing with Machado offshore after she left the country, where she had been in hiding since August 2024 due to fear of persecution by the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

A Step-by-Step Extraction

She boarded his boat for a 13- to 14-hour journey to an secret location to catch a plane, in a mission orchestrated just four days earlier. 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.

Describing her condition, he said, She was elated. She was very excited. She was exhausted,” adding that about twenty-four people were actively participating within his team.

Verification and Concealment

A representative for Machado confirmed that Stern’s foundation was responsible for the operation, which commenced earlier in the week. This account follows previous reporting that Machado used a wig and costume to flee her safe house in a outskirts of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

Stern did not divulge details about the land operation, referencing his organization's ongoing operations in the country.

Funding and US Role

He told media the mission was financed by “a few generous donors” – none of whom were US officials involved. Official US funds were not used, at least not that I know of,” Stern said.

He said, however, that his group did coordinate informally with the American armed forces regarding positioning and plans, primarily to prevent being mistakenly fired upon.

Next Steps and Inspiration

Machado said she had American backing to depart Venezuela. She has announced plans to return home, though it is not clear the method or timing.

Stern indicated his group would play no part in that operation, as it worked only on extracting individuals from countries, not bringing them back. “That’s for her to determine and for her to decide. But I think she should not go back. Yet she is determined. Maria is truly inspirational,” he concluded.