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The audacious getaway of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado entailed a lengthy, “scary” and soaking sea crossing in the pitch black of night, according to the American man who says he led the mission.

The Dangerous Nocturnal Voyage

Bryan Stern, who leads a rescue nonprofit, outlined the operation in a newly published media appearance. It was perilous. It was scary,” said Stern, an ex-special forces operative, recounting rough and moonless seas that also provided 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 described meeting Machado out at sea after she departed from Venezuela, where she had been in hiding for over a year fearing targeting by the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.

A Detailed Escape Plan

Machado embarked on his boat for a half-day journey to an undisclosed location to catch a plane, in a mission planned just days before. “This was in the middle of the night – minimal moonlight, some cloud coverage, very hard to see, boats have no lights. Everyone was quite damp. My team and I were soaked to the gills. She was pretty cold and wet, too. She had a very arduous journey,” Stern noted.

Describing her condition, he commented, She was elated. She was very excited. She was very tired,” and noted about two dozen people were directly involved within his team.

Verification and Concealment

Spokespeople for Machado verified that Stern’s company was behind the operation, which commenced earlier in the week. This account comes after earlier stories that Machado wore a wig and a disguise to flee her safe house in a outskirts of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

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

Funding and US Involvement

He told media the mission was funded through “several benefactors” – with no US officials involved. Official US funds were not used, at least not that I know of,” Stern asserted.

He clarified, though, that his group did “unofficially collaborate” with the American armed forces regarding locations and strategy, largely to avoid being targeted by airstrikes.

Next Steps and Admiration

Machado said she had American backing to leave 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 a return mission, as it worked only on extracting individuals from countries, not bringing them back. “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.