Bryan Stern, a U.S. war veteran and founder of the Tampa (Florida)-based Grey Bull Rescue group, revealed that he led a secret 15 to 16-hour maritime operation to extract María Corina Machado from Venezuela. He stated that he advised the opposition leader not to return to her country and assured that he has «never» been hired by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Stern told CBS that he met Machado at sea and successfully transported her to a secret location in the Caribbean, where she boarded a flight to Oslo to receive the Nobel Peace Prize on Wednesday and reunite with her family.
«It was dangerous. He didn't contribute a single cent, as far as I know,» Stern affirmed.
«I'm the specialized extraction contractor, and I've never been hired by Donald Trump,» he said regarding reports linking the rescue to the president's circle.
Stern denied that the pickup took place in Curaçao and avoided discussing the land phase, stating, «We still have work in Venezuela and we don't want to risk the people, sources, or methods involved.»
When they met Machado, Stern recounted to CBS, «everyone was soaked. My team and I were drenched to the bone. The sea conditions were ideal for us, but not waters one would want to be in. The higher the waves, the harder it is for radar to see. It was a very arduous journey.»
Stern, who noted that the Nobel Peace Prize laureate is the highest-profile person he has ever extracted, added, «Nobody enjoyed that trip, especially María!»
Stern emphasized to the channel that Grey Bull does not operate with government funds. «It was terrifying.»
