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This audacious getaway of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado entailed a lengthy, frightening and soaking boat journey in the pitch black of night, as detailed by the American man who says he led the operation.

A Dangerous Nighttime Crossing

Bryan Stern, who heads a rescue nonprofit, detailed the operation in a newly published media appearance. “It was dangerous. It was terrifying,” stated Stern, an ex-special forces operative, describing dark and choppy conditions that simultaneously offered ideal concealment for the flight.

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

He described rendezvousing with Machado offshore after she left the country, where she had been in hiding for over a year fearing targeting by the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.

A Detailed Extraction

Machado embarked on his boat for a half-day trip to an undisclosed location to catch a plane, as part of orchestrated just days before. “This was in the middle of the night – very little moon, some cloud coverage, very hard to see, vessels running dark. All of us were pretty wet. My crew and I were drenched. She was also chilled and wet. She had a very arduous journey,” Stern added.

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

Confirmation and Concealment

A representative for Machado verified that Stern’s foundation was behind the extraction, which began on Tuesday. This report follows previous reporting that Machado used a wig and costume to flee her safe house in a outskirts of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

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

Funding and American Involvement

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 US military regarding locations and strategy, largely to avoid being mistakenly fired upon.

Next Steps and Admiration

The opposition leader stated she had American backing to leave Venezuela. She has announced plans to go back, though it is not clear how or when.

Stern indicated his group would not be involved in a return mission, as it focuses exclusively on getting people out of countries, not in. “That’s for her to determine and for her to decide. But I think she should not go back. Yet she is determined. She is a genuine inspiration,” he said.