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The audacious getaway of political leader María Corina Machado involved a long, “scary” and soaking boat journey in the dead of night, as detailed by the US veteran who says he led the operation.

The Perilous Nighttime Voyage

Bryan Stern, who heads a nonprofit rescue organisation, detailed the operation in a newly published interview. “It was dangerous. It was terrifying,” said Stern, a US special forces veteran, describing dark and choppy conditions that also provided convenient cover 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 more difficult radar detection becomes,” he remarked.

He described rendezvousing with Machado offshore after she departed from Venezuela, where she had been in hiding for over a year fearing persecution by the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

The Detailed Extraction

Machado embarked on his boat for a half-day trip to an secret location to board a flight, as part of orchestrated just four days earlier. The operation occurred at midnight – very little moon, a little bit of cloud cover, very hard to see, boats have no lights. Everyone was quite damp. My team and I were soaked to the gills. She was also chilled and wet. She had a very arduous journey,” Stern added.

Describing her condition, he commented, She was elated. She was thrilled. She was exhausted,” and noted about two dozen people were directly involved within his team.

Verification and Disguise

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

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

Funding and US Involvement

He stated publicly the endeavor was funded through “several benefactors” – with no 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 coordinate informally with the US military regarding positioning and plans, largely to avoid being mistakenly fired upon.

Future Plans and Inspiration

The opposition leader stated she had American backing to depart 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 focuses exclusively on getting people out of countries, not bringing them back. “That’s for her to determine for herself. Personally, I advise against returning. Yet she is determined. Maria is truly inspirational,” he concluded.