The Way a American Military Veteran Assisted María Corina Machado Escape Her Homeland

This audacious getaway of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado entailed a lengthy, frightening and very wet sea crossing in the dead of night, according to the American man who says he led the mission.

The Perilous Nighttime Voyage

The rescue organizer, who leads a nonprofit rescue organisation, outlined the operation in a newly published media appearance. It was perilous. It was terrifying,” stated Stern, a US special forces veteran, recounting rough and moonless seas that simultaneously offered convenient cover for the escape.

“The ocean was perfect for our purposes, but not water you'd choose to sail on ... the higher the waves, the harder it is for radar to see,” Stern said.

He described meeting Machado out at sea after she departed from Venezuela, where she had been lying low for over a year fearing persecution by the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.

A Detailed Escape Plan

Machado embarked on his boat for a half-day journey to an secret location to catch a plane, as part of planned just days before. “This was in the middle of the night – minimal moonlight, some cloud coverage, very hard to see, boats have no lights. Everyone was quite damp. My crew and I were drenched. She was also chilled and wet. She had a very arduous journey,” Stern noted.

Regarding her state, he said, She was elated. She was thrilled. She was exhausted,” and noted about twenty-four people were directly involved within his organization.

Verification and Disguise

A representative for Machado verified that Stern’s company was responsible for the extraction, which began on Tuesday. This report follows earlier stories that Machado used a wig and costume to leave her safe house in a suburb of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

Stern did not divulge details about the ground segment, referencing his company’s future work in the region.

Financing and American Role

He stated publicly the mission was financed by “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 said, however, that his group did “unofficially collaborate” with the American armed forces regarding locations and strategy, largely to avoid being targeted by airstrikes.

Future Plans and Admiration

The opposition leader stated she had American backing to depart Venezuela. She has announced plans to return home, though the specifics remain uncertain the method or timing.

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