🔗 Share this article

This daring getaway of political leader María Corina Machado entailed a lengthy, frightening and soaking sea crossing in the pitch black of night, as detailed by the American man who claims to have commanded the mission.

A Dangerous Nighttime Voyage

Bryan Stern, who heads a nonprofit rescue organisation, outlined the mission in a recent media appearance. It was perilous. It was scary,” stated Stern, a US special forces veteran, recounting rough and moonless seas that simultaneously offered convenient cover for the escape.

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

He recalled meeting Machado out at sea after she departed from Venezuela, where she had been lying low since August 2024 fearing targeting by the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

A Step-by-Step Escape Plan

She boarded his boat for a half-day journey to an undisclosed location to catch a plane, in a mission planned just four days earlier. The operation occurred at midnight – minimal moonlight, a little bit of cloud cover, very hard to see, boats have no lights. All of us were pretty wet. My crew and I were drenched. She was pretty cold and wet, too. She had a very arduous journey,” Stern added.

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

Verification and Disguise

Spokespeople for Machado verified that Stern’s company was responsible for the operation, which began on Tuesday. This report follows previous reporting that Machado used a wig and costume to leave her hideout in a suburb of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

The veteran declined to share specifics about the land operation, citing his company’s future work in the region.

Funding and American Involvement

He told media the endeavor was financed by “several benefactors” – with no US officials involved. Official US funds were not used, at least not that I know of,” Stern said.

He clarified, though, that his group did coordinate informally with the American armed forces regarding positioning and plans, largely to avoid being mistakenly fired upon.

Next Steps and Inspiration

The opposition leader stated she had American backing to leave Venezuela. She has announced plans to return home, 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 extracting individuals from countries, not bringing them back. “She must decide that for herself. But I think she should not go back. But she wants to. She is a genuine inspiration,” he concluded.