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The audacious escape of political leader María Corina Machado entailed a long, “scary” and soaking boat journey in the dead of night, according to the American man who says he led the mission.

A Dangerous Nocturnal Voyage

The rescue organizer, who heads a rescue nonprofit, outlined the mission in a newly published interview. “It was dangerous. It was scary,” said Stern, a US special forces veteran, recounting dark and choppy conditions that simultaneously offered ideal concealment for the flight.

“The ocean was perfect for our purposes, but not water you'd choose to sail on ... the bigger the swells, the more difficult radar detection becomes,” Stern said.

He recalled meeting Machado out at sea after she departed from the country, where she had been in hiding for over a year fearing persecution by the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

A Step-by-Step Extraction

She boarded his boat for a half-day journey to an secret location to catch a plane, in a mission planned just four days earlier. The operation occurred at midnight – minimal moonlight, some cloud coverage, extremely low visibility, vessels running dark. All of us were pretty wet. My team and I were soaked to the gills. She was pretty cold and wet, too. She endured a grueling passage,” Stern noted.

Describing her condition, he commented, She was elated. She was thrilled. She was very tired,” adding that about twenty-four people were actively participating within his team.

Confirmation and Disguise

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

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

Financing and US Role

He stated publicly the endeavor was funded through “a few generous donors” – 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 “unofficially collaborate” with the US military regarding positioning and plans, primarily to prevent being targeted by airstrikes.

Future Plans and Admiration

The opposition leader stated she had American backing to leave Venezuela. She has declared her intention to go back, though it is not clear how or when.

Stern indicated his group would not be involved in that operation, as it focuses exclusively on extracting individuals from countries, not bringing them back. “She must decide that for herself. But I think she should not go back. But she wants to. She is a genuine inspiration,” he concluded.