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The audacious getaway of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado entailed a long, “scary” and very wet boat journey in the pitch black of night, according to the US veteran who claims to have commanded the operation.

The Perilous Nighttime Crossing

The rescue organizer, who leads a rescue nonprofit, outlined the operation in a newly published media appearance. It was perilous. It was scary,” said Stern, an ex-special forces operative, recounting rough and moonless seas that simultaneously offered convenient cover for the escape.

“The ocean was perfect for our purposes, 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 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 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 four days earlier. “This was in the middle of the night – minimal moonlight, some cloud coverage, extremely low visibility, vessels running dark. All of us were pretty wet. My crew and I were drenched. She was also chilled and wet. She had a very arduous journey,” Stern noted.

Describing her condition, he commented, She was elated. She was very excited. She was exhausted,” and noted about two dozen people were actively participating within his organization.

Confirmation and Disguise

A representative for Machado verified that Stern’s foundation was behind the extraction, which began on Tuesday. This account comes after previous reporting that Machado wore a wig and a disguise to flee her safe house in a outskirts of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

Stern did not divulge specifics about the ground segment, referencing his organization's ongoing operations in the country.

Financing and American Role

He told media the endeavor was financed by “several benefactors” – none of whom were US officials 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 American armed forces regarding locations and strategy, largely to avoid being targeted by airstrikes.

Next Steps and Admiration

The opposition leader stated she had US support to depart Venezuela. She has declared her intention to return home, though it is not clear how or when.

Stern said his group would play no part in that operation, 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. But she wants to. She is a genuine inspiration,” he concluded.