This daring escape of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado involved a long, frightening and soaking boat journey in the pitch black of night, according to the US veteran who says he led the operation.
A Dangerous Nighttime Voyage
The rescue organizer, who leads a nonprofit rescue organisation, detailed the mission in a newly published media appearance. It was perilous. It was scary,” said Stern, a US special forces veteran, recounting dark and choppy conditions that simultaneously offered convenient cover for the escape.
“The sea conditions were ideal for us, 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 Venezuela, where she had been in hiding for over a year fearing persecution by the government of President Nicolás Maduro.
The Step-by-Step Escape Plan
Machado embarked on his boat for a 13- to 14-hour trip to an secret location to catch a plane, as part of orchestrated just days before. The operation occurred at midnight – 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 also chilled and wet. She endured a grueling passage,” Stern added.
Describing her condition, he said, She was elated. She was thrilled. She was very tired,” and noted about two dozen people were actively participating within his team.
Verification and Concealment
A representative 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 flee her safe house in a suburb of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.
Stern did not divulge specifics about the land operation, referencing his company’s future work in the country.
Financing and US Role
He told media the endeavor was financed by “several benefactors” – none of whom were US government figures involved. “The US government did not contribute a single penny, 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.
Future Plans and Inspiration
Machado said she had American backing 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 a return mission, as it focuses exclusively on extracting individuals from countries, not in. “That’s for her to determine and for her to decide. But I think she should not go back. But she wants to. She is a genuine inspiration,” he concluded.
