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The audacious getaway of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado involved a lengthy, frightening and very wet sea crossing in the pitch black of night, as detailed by the US veteran who says he led the mission.

The Perilous Nocturnal Voyage

Bryan Stern, who heads a nonprofit rescue organisation, outlined the operation in a newly published media appearance. “It was dangerous. It was scary,” said 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 more difficult radar detection becomes,” Stern said.

He recalled rendezvousing with Machado offshore after she departed from Venezuela, where she had been in hiding since August 2024 fearing persecution by the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.

The Step-by-Step Escape Plan

She boarded his boat for a half-day trip to an secret location to catch a plane, as part of orchestrated just four days earlier. “This was in the middle of the night – very little moon, some cloud coverage, extremely low visibility, 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.

Regarding her state, he commented, “She was very happy. She was very excited. She was very tired,” adding that about two dozen people were directly involved within his organization.

Verification and Disguise

Spokespeople for Machado verified that Stern’s foundation was responsible for the operation, which began on Tuesday. This account comes after earlier stories that Machado used a wig and costume to flee her safe house in a suburb of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

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

Financing and American Involvement

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 coordinate informally with the US military regarding locations and strategy, largely to avoid being targeted by airstrikes.

Future Plans and Admiration

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

Stern said his group would not be involved in a return mission, as it focuses exclusively on getting people out of countries, not in. “That’s for her to determine and for her to decide. Personally, I advise against returning. Yet she is determined. She is a genuine inspiration,” he concluded.