How a American Military Veteran Aided María Corina Machado Flee Her Homeland

This daring escape of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado entailed a lengthy, “scary” and soaking sea crossing in the pitch black of night, as detailed by the American man who says he led the operation.

A Dangerous Nighttime Voyage

Bryan Stern, who heads a rescue nonprofit, outlined the mission in a recent media appearance. It was perilous. It was scary,” stated Stern, a US special forces veteran, recounting rough and moonless seas that also provided ideal concealment for the escape.

“The sea conditions were ideal for us, but certainly not water that you would want to be on ... the bigger the swells, the harder it is for radar to see,” he remarked.

He recalled meeting Machado out at sea after she departed from the country, where she had been lying low for over a year due to fear of persecution by the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.

A Detailed Extraction

Machado embarked on his boat for a 13- to 14-hour trip to an secret location to catch a plane, in a mission orchestrated just four days earlier. “This was in the middle of the night – very little moon, a little bit of cloud cover, very hard to see, boats have no lights. All of us were pretty wet. My team and I were soaked to the gills. 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 exhausted,” adding that about twenty-four people were directly involved within his team.

Verification and Concealment

A representative for Machado confirmed that Stern’s company was behind the extraction, which began on Tuesday. This report follows earlier stories that Machado used a wig and costume to flee her hideout in a outskirts of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

Stern did not divulge specifics about the ground segment, referencing his organization's ongoing operations in the region.

Financing and American Involvement

He stated publicly the endeavor was funded through “several benefactors” – none of whom were 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 coordinate informally with the American armed forces regarding locations and strategy, primarily to prevent being targeted by airstrikes.

Next Steps and Inspiration

Machado said she had American backing to leave Venezuela. She has declared her intention to go back, though the specifics remain uncertain 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 bringing them back. “That’s for her to determine and for her to decide. Personally, I advise against returning. Yet she is determined. Maria is truly inspirational,” he said.