🔗 Share this article

The daring getaway of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado involved a lengthy, “scary” and soaking sea crossing in the dead of night, according to the US veteran who claims to have commanded the operation.

The Dangerous Nocturnal Voyage

Bryan Stern, who heads a rescue nonprofit, outlined the operation in a newly published media appearance. It was perilous. It was scary,” stated Stern, a US special forces veteran, describing rough and moonless seas that also provided 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 more difficult radar detection becomes,” he remarked.

He recalled rendezvousing with Machado offshore after she left 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 secret location to board a flight, in a mission planned 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 endured a grueling passage,” Stern noted.

Regarding her state, he said, She was elated. She was very excited. 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 company was responsible for the operation, which began on Tuesday. This account comes after previous reporting that Machado wore a wig and a disguise to leave her safe house in a suburb of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

The veteran declined to share details about the ground segment, referencing his company’s future work in the country.

Funding and US Involvement

He stated publicly the mission was funded through “several benefactors” – none of whom were 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 “unofficially collaborate” with the American armed forces regarding locations and strategy, largely to avoid being targeted by airstrikes.

Next Steps and Admiration

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 indicated his group would play no part in that operation, as it focuses exclusively on getting people out of countries, not bringing them back. “That’s for her to determine and for her to decide. But I think she should not go back. But she wants to. Maria is truly inspirational,” he said.