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The audacious escape of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado involved a long, “scary” and very wet sea crossing in the pitch black of night, according to the American man who says he led the mission.

A Dangerous Nighttime Voyage

The rescue organizer, who leads a rescue nonprofit, detailed the operation in a newly published interview. “It was dangerous. It was terrifying,” said Stern, an ex-special forces operative, recounting dark and choppy conditions that simultaneously offered convenient cover for the escape.

“The sea conditions were ideal for us, but certainly not water that you would want to be on ... the higher the waves, 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 lying low for over a year fearing persecution by the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

The Detailed Extraction

Machado embarked on his boat for a half-day trip to an undisclosed location to catch a plane, in a mission planned just four days earlier. “This was in the middle of the night – minimal moonlight, a little bit of cloud cover, very hard to see, vessels running dark. Everyone was quite damp. My crew and I were drenched. She was also chilled and wet. She had a very arduous journey,” Stern added.

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

Confirmation and Disguise

Spokespeople for Machado verified that Stern’s foundation was behind the operation, which began on Tuesday. This report follows earlier stories that Machado wore a wig and a disguise to leave her safe house in a outskirts of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

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

Financing and US Role

He stated publicly the mission was funded through “several benefactors” – with no US government figures involved. Official US funds were not used, to my knowledge,” Stern said.

He said, however, that his group did coordinate informally with the American armed forces regarding positioning and plans, largely to avoid being targeted by airstrikes.

Next Steps and Admiration

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

Stern said his group would play no part in a return mission, as it focuses exclusively on extracting individuals from countries, not in. “She must decide that and for her to decide. But I think she should not go back. But she wants to. Maria is truly inspirational,” he said.