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The audacious escape of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado entailed a lengthy, frightening and very wet sea crossing in the dead of night, according to the American man who says he led the mission.

The Perilous Nocturnal Voyage

The rescue organizer, who heads a rescue nonprofit, outlined the operation in a newly published interview. It was perilous. It was scary,” stated Stern, an ex-special forces operative, recounting dark and choppy conditions that also provided ideal concealment for the flight.

“The ocean was perfect for our purposes, but not water you'd choose to sail on ... the higher the waves, the more difficult radar detection becomes,” Stern said.

He recalled meeting Machado out at sea after she departed from Venezuela, where she had been in hiding since August 2024 due to fear of persecution by the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

A Detailed Extraction

Machado embarked on his boat for a 13- to 14-hour journey to an secret location to board a flight, as part of orchestrated just four days earlier. The operation occurred at midnight – minimal moonlight, some cloud coverage, 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 noted.

Describing her condition, he commented, “She was very happy. She was very excited. She was exhausted,” adding that about twenty-four people were actively participating within his organization.

Confirmation and Concealment

Spokespeople for Machado confirmed that Stern’s foundation was behind the operation, which began on Tuesday. This report comes after previous reporting that Machado used a wig and costume to flee her hideout in a outskirts of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

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

Funding and US Role

He told media the endeavor was funded through “a few generous donors” – none of whom were US government figures 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 targeted by airstrikes.

Next Steps and Admiration

The opposition leader stated she had US support to depart Venezuela. She has declared her intention to go back, though it is not clear the method or timing.

Stern said his group would not be involved in a return mission, as it focuses exclusively on getting people out of countries, not bringing them back. “She must decide that for herself. But I think she should not go back. Yet she is determined. She is a genuine inspiration,” he concluded.