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The audacious getaway of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado involved a long, frightening and soaking boat journey in the dead of night, according to the US veteran who says he led the mission.

A Perilous Nocturnal Crossing

The rescue organizer, who leads a nonprofit rescue organisation, outlined the mission in a newly published interview. “It was dangerous. It was terrifying,” stated Stern, a US special forces veteran, recounting dark and choppy conditions that simultaneously offered ideal concealment for the escape.

“The sea conditions were ideal for us, but not water you'd choose to sail on ... the bigger the swells, the more difficult radar detection becomes,” he remarked.

He described meeting Machado out at sea after she left Venezuela, where she had been in hiding since August 2024 fearing targeting by the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

The Step-by-Step Escape Plan

Machado embarked on his boat for a half-day journey to an secret location to catch a plane, as part of orchestrated just four days earlier. The operation occurred at midnight – minimal moonlight, some cloud coverage, very hard to see, boats have no lights. All of us were pretty wet. My crew and I were drenched. She was pretty cold and wet, too. She had a very arduous journey,” Stern noted.

Describing her condition, he said, “She was very happy. She was very excited. She was exhausted,” adding that 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 operation, which began on Tuesday. This report comes after previous reporting that Machado wore a wig and a disguise to leave her safe house in a outskirts of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

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

Funding and US Role

He told media the mission was funded through “a few generous donors” – none of whom were US government figures involved. “The US government did not contribute a single penny, at least not that I know of,” Stern said.

He said, however, that his group did “unofficially collaborate” with the American armed forces regarding locations and strategy, largely to avoid being targeted by airstrikes.

Next Steps and Inspiration

The opposition leader stated she had US support to leave Venezuela. She has announced plans to return home, though it is not clear how or when.

Stern indicated his group would play no part in a return mission, as it worked only on extracting individuals from countries, not in. “She must decide that and for her to decide. Personally, I advise against returning. But she wants to. Maria is truly inspirational,” he said.