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The daring getaway of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado involved a long, “scary” and soaking boat journey in the pitch black of night, according to the American man who claims to have commanded the operation.

A Dangerous Nocturnal Voyage

Bryan Stern, who heads a nonprofit rescue organisation, detailed the mission in a recent media appearance. It was perilous. It was scary,” stated Stern, an ex-special forces operative, recounting rough and moonless seas that also provided ideal concealment for the flight.

“The sea conditions were ideal for us, but not water you'd choose to sail on ... the higher the waves, the harder it is for radar to see,” he remarked.

He described meeting Machado out at sea after she departed from the country, where she had been in hiding for over a year due to fear of targeting by the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.

A Step-by-Step Extraction

Machado embarked on his boat for a half-day trip to an secret location to catch a plane, in a mission orchestrated just days before. “This was in the middle of the night – very little moon, 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 endured a grueling passage,” Stern added.

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

Confirmation and Disguise

Spokespeople for Machado confirmed that Stern’s foundation was behind the extraction, which commenced earlier in the week. This account comes after previous reporting that Machado used a wig and costume to flee her safe house in a suburb of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

Stern did not divulge specifics about the ground segment, referencing his company’s future work in the region.

Funding and US Involvement

He told media the endeavor was financed by “several benefactors” – with no US government figures involved. “The US government did not contribute a single penny, to my knowledge,” Stern asserted.

He clarified, though, that his group did “unofficially collaborate” with the American armed forces regarding positioning and plans, largely to avoid being mistakenly fired upon.

Next Steps and Inspiration

Machado said she had American backing to depart Venezuela. She has announced plans to return home, though the specifics remain uncertain how or when.

Stern indicated his group would play no part in a return mission, as it focuses exclusively on getting people out of countries, not bringing them back. “She must decide that and for her to decide. Personally, I advise against returning. But she wants to. Maria is truly inspirational,” he concluded.