🔗 Share this article

The daring getaway of political leader María Corina Machado involved 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.

The Perilous Nocturnal Crossing

The rescue organizer, who leads a nonprofit rescue organisation, outlined the mission in a recent media appearance. It was perilous. It was terrifying,” stated Stern, an ex-special forces operative, recounting dark and choppy conditions that also provided ideal concealment for the flight.

“The sea conditions were ideal for us, but not water you'd choose to sail on ... the higher the waves, the harder it is for radar to see,” he remarked.

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 persecution by the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.

The Detailed Extraction

Machado embarked on his boat for a 13- to 14-hour journey to an undisclosed location to catch a plane, as part of orchestrated just days before. The operation occurred at midnight – very little moon, a little bit of cloud cover, very hard to see, vessels running dark. Everyone was quite damp. My crew and I were drenched. She was also chilled and wet. She had a very arduous journey,” Stern noted.

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

Confirmation and Concealment

Spokespeople for Machado verified that Stern’s foundation was responsible for the operation, which commenced earlier in the week. This account follows previous reporting that Machado wore a wig and a disguise to leave her hideout in a suburb of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

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

Funding and US Role

He told media the mission was funded through “several benefactors” – none of whom were US government figures involved. “The US government did not contribute a single penny, to my knowledge,” Stern said.

He said, however, that his group did coordinate informally with the US military regarding locations and strategy, primarily to prevent being targeted by airstrikes.

Future Plans and Admiration

Machado said she had US support to leave Venezuela. She has announced plans to go back, though the specifics remain uncertain how or when.

Stern indicated his group would play no part in that operation, as it worked only 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.