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The audacious getaway of political leader María Corina Machado involved a lengthy, “scary” and soaking boat journey in the pitch black of night, according to the American man who says he led the mission.

The Perilous Nocturnal Crossing

The rescue organizer, who leads a nonprofit rescue organisation, detailed the operation in a recent media appearance. It was perilous. It was scary,” said Stern, an ex-special forces operative, describing rough and moonless seas that simultaneously offered convenient cover for the flight.

“The sea conditions were ideal for us, but certainly not water that you would want to be on ... the higher the waves, the more difficult radar detection becomes,” Stern said.

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

A Step-by-Step Extraction

Machado embarked on his boat for a 13- to 14-hour journey to an secret location to board a flight, in a mission orchestrated just days before. “This was in the middle of the night – very little moon, a little bit of cloud cover, extremely low visibility, boats have no lights. Everyone was quite damp. 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 elated. She was very excited. She was very tired,” adding that about twenty-four people were directly involved within his organization.

Confirmation and Disguise

Spokespeople for Machado confirmed that Stern’s company was behind the operation, which began on Tuesday. This account follows previous reporting that Machado used a wig and costume to flee her safe house in a outskirts of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

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

Funding and American Role

He stated publicly the mission was funded through “several benefactors” – with no US government figures involved. Official US funds were not used, to my knowledge,” Stern said.

He clarified, though, that his group did coordinate informally with the US military regarding positioning and plans, primarily to prevent being targeted by airstrikes.

Next Steps and Admiration

Machado said she had US support to depart Venezuela. She has declared her intention to go back, though it is not clear how or when.

Stern said 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. But I think she should not go back. Yet she is determined. Maria is truly inspirational,” he concluded.