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The daring getaway of political leader María Corina Machado involved a lengthy, frightening and very wet boat journey in the dead of night, according to the American man who says he led the operation.

The Dangerous Nighttime Crossing

The rescue organizer, who heads a nonprofit rescue organisation, outlined the mission in a recent media appearance. It was perilous. It was scary,” stated Stern, a US special forces veteran, recounting dark and choppy conditions that also provided convenient cover 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 rendezvousing with Machado offshore after she left Venezuela, where she had been lying low since August 2024 fearing persecution by the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.

The Detailed Extraction

She boarded his boat for a 13- to 14-hour trip to an undisclosed location to catch a plane, in a mission orchestrated just four days earlier. The operation occurred at midnight – very little moon, some cloud coverage, very hard to see, 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 had a very arduous journey,” Stern added.

Regarding her state, he commented, “She was very happy. She was very excited. She was very tired,” adding that about two dozen people were actively participating within his organization.

Confirmation and Concealment

Spokespeople for Machado verified that Stern’s foundation was behind the extraction, which commenced earlier in the week. This report comes after earlier stories that Machado used a wig and costume to leave her hideout in a suburb of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

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

Funding and US Role

He told media the mission was funded through “several benefactors” – none of whom were US officials involved. Official US funds were not used, to my knowledge,” Stern said.

He clarified, though, that his group did “unofficially collaborate” with the American armed forces regarding locations and strategy, primarily to prevent 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 return home, though it is not clear the method or timing.

Stern said his group would play no part in a return mission, as it focuses exclusively 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. Maria is truly inspirational,” he said.