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The audacious getaway of political leader María Corina Machado involved a long, frightening and soaking boat journey in the pitch black of night, as detailed by the US veteran who claims to have commanded the operation.

A Perilous Nocturnal Voyage

The rescue organizer, who heads a nonprofit rescue organisation, outlined the operation in a recent interview. It was perilous. It was terrifying,” stated Stern, an ex-special forces operative, recounting rough and moonless seas that also provided ideal concealment for the escape.

“The ocean was perfect for our purposes, but not water you'd choose to sail on ... the bigger the swells, the harder it is for radar to see,” Stern said.

He described meeting Machado out at sea 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 Detailed Extraction

She boarded his boat for a 13- to 14-hour trip to an undisclosed location to board a flight, as part of orchestrated just days before. The operation occurred at midnight – minimal moonlight, a little bit of cloud cover, very hard to see, vessels running dark. All of us were pretty wet. My crew and I were drenched. She was pretty cold and wet, too. She endured a grueling passage,” Stern added.

Regarding her state, he said, “She was very happy. She was thrilled. She was exhausted,” and noted about two dozen people were actively participating within his organization.

Confirmation and Concealment

A representative for Machado verified that Stern’s foundation was behind the operation, which began on Tuesday. This report follows previous reporting that Machado wore a wig and a disguise to flee her hideout in a suburb of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

Stern did not divulge specifics about the ground segment, citing his organization's ongoing operations in the region.

Financing and US Role

He stated publicly the mission 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 said.

He said, however, that his group did “unofficially collaborate” with the US military regarding locations and strategy, largely to avoid being mistakenly fired upon.

Future Plans and Admiration

The opposition leader stated she had US support to leave Venezuela. She has announced plans to return home, though the specifics remain uncertain how or when.

Stern said his group would not be involved in a return mission, as it worked only 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. But she wants to. She is a genuine inspiration,” he concluded.