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The audacious escape of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado entailed a lengthy, frightening and very wet sea crossing in the dead of night, as detailed by the American man who says he led the operation.

The Perilous Nocturnal Voyage

The rescue organizer, who heads a rescue nonprofit, outlined the operation in a recent interview. It was perilous. It was terrifying,” stated Stern, a US special forces veteran, describing rough and moonless seas that also provided convenient cover 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,” he remarked.

He recalled meeting Machado out at sea after she left the country, where she had been lying low for over a year due to fear of persecution by the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.

A Step-by-Step Escape Plan

Machado embarked on his boat for a 13- to 14-hour trip to an secret location to board a flight, as part of planned just four days earlier. “This was in the middle of the night – very little moon, some cloud coverage, very hard to see, 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 noted.

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

Verification and Disguise

Spokespeople for Machado confirmed that Stern’s company was behind the extraction, which commenced earlier in the week. 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 ground segment, citing his company’s future work in the country.

Funding and US Role

He stated publicly the mission 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 asserted.

He clarified, though, that his group did coordinate informally with the US military regarding locations and strategy, largely to avoid being targeted by airstrikes.

Future Plans and Inspiration

Machado said she had American backing to leave 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 focuses exclusively 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 said.