The audacious getaway of political leader María Corina Machado involved a long, frightening and very wet boat journey in the pitch black of night, as detailed by the US veteran who says he led the operation.
A Perilous Nighttime Crossing
Bryan Stern, who leads a rescue nonprofit, outlined the operation in a newly published interview. It was perilous. It was terrifying,” said Stern, an ex-special forces operative, recounting dark and choppy conditions that simultaneously offered ideal concealment for the flight.
“The sea conditions were ideal for us, but certainly not water that you would want to be on ... the higher the waves, the harder it is for radar to see,” Stern said.
He recalled rendezvousing with Machado offshore after she departed from Venezuela, where she had been in hiding since August 2024 fearing persecution by the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.
A Detailed Extraction
She boarded his boat for a half-day trip to an secret location to board a flight, in a mission orchestrated just four days earlier. The operation occurred at midnight – minimal moonlight, a little bit of cloud cover, extremely low visibility, vessels running dark. All of us were pretty wet. My crew and I were drenched. She was pretty cold and wet, too. She had a very arduous journey,” Stern added.
Regarding her state, he commented, She was elated. She was thrilled. She was very tired,” and noted about twenty-four people were actively participating within his organization.
Confirmation and Disguise
A representative for Machado confirmed that Stern’s company was responsible for the extraction, which commenced earlier in the week. This account follows earlier stories that Machado used a wig and costume to flee her hideout in a suburb of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.
The veteran declined to share specifics about the land operation, citing his organization's ongoing operations in the region.
Financing and American Role
He stated publicly the mission was financed by “a few generous donors” – with no US government figures involved. “The US government did not contribute a single penny, at least not that I know of,” Stern asserted.
He clarified, though, that his group did “unofficially collaborate” with the US military regarding locations and strategy, primarily to prevent being targeted by airstrikes.
Next Steps and Inspiration
Machado said she had US support to depart Venezuela. She has declared her intention to go back, though it is not clear the method or timing.
Stern indicated his group would play no part in that operation, as it worked only on extracting individuals from countries, not in. “That’s for her to determine for herself. Personally, I advise against returning. Yet she is determined. Maria is truly inspirational,” he concluded.
