How a American Military Vet Assisted the Venezuelan Opposition Leader Escape Venezuela

The daring escape of political leader María Corina Machado involved a lengthy, frightening and very wet boat journey in the pitch black of night, according to the US veteran who claims to have commanded the operation.

A Dangerous Nocturnal Voyage

Bryan Stern, who leads a nonprofit rescue organisation, outlined the operation in a newly published interview. “It was dangerous. It was terrifying,” stated Stern, an ex-special forces operative, recounting dark and choppy conditions that also provided convenient cover for the flight.

“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 the country, where she had been lying low for over a year fearing persecution by the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.

A Detailed Extraction

She boarded his boat for a half-day journey to an secret location to catch a plane, as part of orchestrated just days before. “This was in the middle of the night – minimal moonlight, some cloud coverage, extremely low visibility, vessels running dark. 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 elated. She was thrilled. She was very tired,” adding that about two dozen people were directly involved within his team.

Verification and Concealment

A representative for Machado verified that Stern’s company was behind the extraction, which commenced earlier in the week. This account comes after previous reporting 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 specifics about the land operation, referencing his company’s future work in the region.

Financing and American Involvement

He stated publicly the endeavor 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 coordinate informally with the American armed forces regarding locations and strategy, primarily to prevent being targeted by airstrikes.

Next Steps and Admiration

The opposition leader stated she had American backing to leave Venezuela. She has announced plans to return home, though the specifics remain uncertain how or when.

Stern indicated his group would play no part in that operation, as it worked only 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. Yet she is determined. She is a genuine inspiration,” he said.