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This daring getaway of political leader María Corina Machado entailed a long, frightening and soaking boat journey in the dead of night, according to the American man who says he led the mission.

The Perilous Nighttime Crossing

Bryan Stern, who heads a nonprofit rescue organisation, outlined the mission in a newly published media appearance. It was perilous. It was scary,” said Stern, a US special forces veteran, recounting dark and choppy conditions that also provided 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 harder it is for radar to see,” he remarked.

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

The Detailed Escape Plan

Machado embarked on his boat for a half-day trip to an secret location to catch a plane, as part of orchestrated just four days earlier. The operation occurred at midnight – minimal moonlight, some cloud coverage, very hard to see, boats have no lights. Everyone was quite damp. My team and I were soaked to the gills. She was also chilled and wet. She had a very arduous journey,” Stern added.

Regarding her state, he commented, “She was very happy. She was very excited. She was exhausted,” and noted about twenty-four people were directly involved within his organization.

Verification and Disguise

Spokespeople for Machado verified that Stern’s company was behind the operation, which began on Tuesday. This report comes after previous reporting that Machado used a wig and costume to flee her hideout in a suburb of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

The veteran declined to share details about the land operation, referencing his organization's ongoing operations in the country.

Funding and American Involvement

He stated publicly the mission was financed by “a few generous donors” – none of whom were US officials involved. Official US funds were not used, to my knowledge,” Stern said.

He said, however, that his group did coordinate informally with the US military regarding locations and strategy, primarily to prevent being targeted by airstrikes.

Future Plans and Inspiration

The opposition leader stated she had American backing to depart Venezuela. She has declared her intention to go back, though the specifics remain uncertain the method or timing.

Stern said his group would not be involved in that operation, as it worked only on extracting individuals from countries, not bringing them back. “She must decide that for herself. Personally, I advise against returning. Yet she is determined. She is a genuine inspiration,” he concluded.