🔗 Share this article

The audacious escape of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado involved a lengthy, frightening and soaking boat journey in the dead of night, as detailed by the American man who says he led the operation.

A Perilous Nocturnal Crossing

Bryan Stern, who leads a nonprofit rescue organisation, detailed the operation in a newly published media appearance. “It was dangerous. It was terrifying,” said Stern, a US special forces veteran, recounting rough and moonless seas that also provided convenient cover for the flight.

“The sea conditions were ideal for us, 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 rendezvousing with Machado offshore after she departed from Venezuela, where she had been in hiding since August 2024 fearing targeting by the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

The Step-by-Step Escape Plan

Machado embarked on his boat for a 13- to 14-hour journey to an secret location to catch a plane, as part of orchestrated just four days earlier. “This was in the middle of the night – very little moon, a little bit of cloud cover, extremely low visibility, vessels running dark. Everyone was quite damp. My crew and I were drenched. She was also chilled and wet. She endured a grueling passage,” Stern added.

Regarding her state, he said, “She was very happy. She was very excited. She was very tired,” adding that about two dozen people were directly involved within his organization.

Confirmation and Concealment

A representative for Machado confirmed that Stern’s company was behind the extraction, which began on Tuesday. This account comes after previous reporting that Machado wore a wig and a disguise to leave her hideout in a suburb of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

Stern did not divulge details about the ground segment, citing his organization's ongoing operations in the country.

Financing and US Involvement

He told media the mission was funded through “several benefactors” – with no US officials involved. Official US funds were not used, to my knowledge,” Stern said.

He clarified, though, that his group did coordinate informally with the American armed forces regarding positioning and plans, primarily to prevent being mistakenly fired upon.

Future Plans and Inspiration

The opposition leader stated she had American backing to depart Venezuela. She has announced plans to go back, though it is not clear how or when.

Stern said his group would not be involved in that operation, as it focuses exclusively on getting people out of countries, not in. “She must decide that and for her to decide. Personally, I advise against returning. But she wants to. She is a genuine inspiration,” he said.