How a American Special Forces Vet Aided the Venezuelan Opposition Leader Escape Her Homeland

This audacious escape of political leader María Corina Machado involved a lengthy, “scary” and very wet sea crossing in the pitch black of night, as detailed by the American man who says he led the mission.

The Dangerous Nocturnal Voyage

The rescue organizer, who heads a rescue nonprofit, detailed the mission in a newly published media appearance. “It was dangerous. It was scary,” stated Stern, an ex-special forces operative, recounting rough and moonless seas that simultaneously offered convenient cover for the flight.

“The ocean was perfect for our purposes, but certainly not water that you would want to be on ... the bigger the swells, the harder it is for radar to see,” Stern said.

He described meeting Machado out at sea after she left the country, where she had been lying low since August 2024 fearing 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 orchestrated just four days earlier. “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 crew and I were drenched. She was also chilled and wet. She endured a grueling passage,” Stern noted.

Describing her condition, he said, “She was very happy. She was thrilled. She was very tired,” adding that about twenty-four people were actively participating within his team.

Confirmation and Concealment

A representative for Machado verified that Stern’s company was responsible for the operation, which began on Tuesday. This account follows earlier stories that Machado wore a wig and a disguise to leave her safe house in a suburb of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

The veteran declined to share details about the land operation, citing his company’s future work in the region.

Financing and American Involvement

He told media the mission was funded through “several benefactors” – with no US officials involved. “The US government did not contribute a single penny, 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.

Next Steps and Inspiration

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

Stern said his group would not be involved in that operation, as it worked only on extracting individuals from countries, not bringing them back. “That’s for her to determine for herself. Personally, I advise against returning. But she wants to. Maria is truly inspirational,” he concluded.