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This daring getaway of political leader María Corina Machado involved a long, frightening and soaking boat journey in the dead of night, as detailed by the US veteran who claims to have commanded the operation.

The Dangerous Nighttime Crossing

Bryan Stern, who heads a nonprofit rescue organisation, detailed the mission in a recent interview. “It was dangerous. It was scary,” said Stern, an ex-special forces operative, recounting rough and moonless seas 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 higher the waves, the more difficult radar detection becomes,” he remarked.

He recalled rendezvousing with Machado offshore after she departed from Venezuela, where she had been in hiding for over a year due to fear of targeting by the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

The Detailed Extraction

She boarded 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, extremely low visibility, vessels running dark. All of us were pretty wet. My team and I were soaked to the gills. She was also chilled and wet. She had a very arduous journey,” Stern noted.

Describing her condition, he said, She was elated. She was very excited. She was exhausted,” and noted about twenty-four people were directly involved within his team.

Confirmation and Concealment

A representative for Machado confirmed that Stern’s company was responsible for the extraction, which commenced earlier in the week. This account comes after earlier stories that Machado wore a wig and a disguise to leave her safe house in a outskirts of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

Stern did not divulge details about the land operation, citing his company’s future work in the region.

Financing and US Role

He told media the mission was financed by “several benefactors” – with no US government figures involved. Official US funds were not used, to my knowledge,” Stern said.

He clarified, though, that his group did “unofficially collaborate” 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 declared her intention to return home, though the specifics remain uncertain how or when.

Stern indicated his group would play no part in a return mission, as it worked only on extracting individuals from countries, not bringing them back. “That’s for her to determine for herself. But I think she should not go back. But she wants to. She is a genuine inspiration,” he said.