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This audacious escape of political leader María Corina Machado involved a lengthy, frightening and soaking sea crossing in the pitch black of night, according to the American man who claims to have commanded the mission.

The Perilous Nighttime Crossing

Bryan Stern, who heads a rescue nonprofit, detailed the operation in a newly published interview. “It was dangerous. It was terrifying,” stated Stern, a US special forces veteran, recounting dark and choppy conditions that also provided ideal concealment 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 recalled rendezvousing with Machado offshore after she left the country, where she had been lying low since August 2024 due to fear of persecution by the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

A Detailed Extraction

She boarded his boat for a half-day trip to an undisclosed location to board a flight, as part of orchestrated just four days earlier. The operation occurred at midnight – minimal moonlight, a little bit of cloud cover, very hard to see, vessels running dark. Everyone was quite damp. My crew and I were drenched. She was pretty cold and wet, too. She had a very arduous journey,” Stern added.

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

Verification and Disguise

A representative for Machado confirmed that Stern’s foundation was behind the operation, which began on Tuesday. This report follows previous reporting that Machado wore a wig and a disguise to leave her hideout in a outskirts of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

The veteran declined to share details about the ground segment, citing his company’s future work in the region.

Funding and US Role

He stated publicly the mission was funded through “several benefactors” – 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 “unofficially collaborate” with the American armed forces regarding positioning and plans, largely to avoid being targeted by airstrikes.

Future Plans and Inspiration

Machado said she had American backing to depart Venezuela. She has declared her intention to return home, though it is not clear how or when.

Stern indicated his group would play no part in that operation, as it focuses exclusively on extracting individuals from countries, not in. “She must decide that for herself. But I think she should not go back. But she wants to. Maria is truly inspirational,” he said.