🔗 Share this article

This daring getaway of political leader María Corina Machado entailed a long, “scary” and very wet sea crossing in the pitch black of night, according to the US veteran who claims to have commanded the mission.

A Perilous Nocturnal Crossing

The rescue organizer, who leads a nonprofit rescue organisation, outlined the operation in a recent media appearance. “It was dangerous. It was terrifying,” stated Stern, a US special forces veteran, recounting dark and choppy conditions that simultaneously offered convenient cover for the escape.

“The ocean was perfect for our purposes, but certainly not water that you would want to be on ... the higher the waves, the harder it is for radar to see,” Stern said.

He recalled meeting Machado out at sea after she left the country, where she had been in hiding for over a year fearing persecution by the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.

The Detailed Extraction

She boarded his boat for a half-day trip to an undisclosed location to catch a plane, in a mission planned just four days earlier. The operation occurred at midnight – minimal moonlight, some cloud coverage, extremely low visibility, boats have no lights. All of us were pretty wet. My team and I were soaked to the gills. She was pretty cold and wet, too. She had a very arduous journey,” Stern added.

Regarding her state, he commented, She was elated. She was very excited. She was very tired,” adding that about twenty-four people were actively participating within his organization.

Verification and Concealment

A representative for Machado verified that Stern’s foundation was responsible for the operation, which began on Tuesday. This account comes after previous reporting 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 region.

Financing and US Role

He stated publicly the endeavor was financed by “a few generous donors” – none of whom were US government figures involved. Official US funds were not used, to my knowledge,” Stern asserted.

He said, however, that his group did coordinate informally with the American armed forces regarding positioning and plans, largely to avoid being targeted by airstrikes.

Future Plans and Inspiration

The opposition leader stated she had American backing to leave Venezuela. She has announced plans to go back, though the specifics remain uncertain the method or timing.

Stern said his group would play no part in a return mission, as it focuses exclusively on getting people out of countries, not in. “She must decide that for herself. But I think she should not go back. Yet she is determined. She is a genuine inspiration,” he said.