María Corina Machado, Venezuela's main opposition leader, has accused President Nicolás Maduro of launching a horrific "campaign of terror" in an attempt to hold onto power. Two weeks after Maduro's disputed claim of victory in the July 28 election, human rights activists report a ferocious crackdown on those who believe Maduro's rival, Edmundo González, was the true winner.

According to Foro Penal, a rights group, more than 1,300 people have been detained, including 116 teenagers, as part of Maduro's clampdown. Disturbingly, at least 24 people have reportedly been killed. Activists, journalists, and prominent opposition politicians have been targeted in what Maduro's regime has called Operación Tun Tun or "Operation Knock Knock." The operation involves heavily armed, black-clad captors from the intelligence services or police making late-night visits to perceived government opponents.

Speaking from an undisclosed location where she is in hiding, Machado, a charismatic conservative and key backer of González, called on governments around the world to condemn Maduro's intensifying crackdown. She described the situation in Venezuela as horrific, with innocent people being detained or disappeared. Machado, who had been barred from running for office herself, claimed that Maduro's government had unleashed a campaign of terror against Venezuelans.

Machado emphasized that every democratic government should raise their voices louder in opposition. She believed that the repression demonstrated the criminal nature of Maduro's regime, which she claimed knew it had lost by a landslide to González but was resorting to violence, fear, and terror to stay in power. Human rights and democracy advocates have stated that the speed and scale of the repression are virtually unprecedented in the region's recent history.

Maduro has justified his actions by claiming to be pursuing criminals and terrorists involved in a fascist, foreign-backed conspiracy to topple his government. However, critics argue that the arbitrary arrests and social media crackdown, which resulted in temporary blocks on platforms like X and Signal, indicate a move towards greater despotism in Venezuela.

Despite the government's attempt to create an atmosphere of fear, thousands of opposition supporters gathered in Caracas to hear Machado speak at a recent rally. However, unlike previous opposition marches, many protesters chose not to disclose their names to journalists for fear of persecution, and some even wore masks. The risks were highlighted further as at least one reporter was detained by security officials after the event.

In response to the escalating repression, Machado has called on supporters to mobilize across the globe on August 17th for a "great worldwide protest... for the truth." She urged Maduro to accept his defeat and engage in a negotiated transition, offering guarantees, safe passage, and incentives.

While Maduro has dismissed talk of negotiation, there are speculations that exile in an allied country, such as Cuba, Turkey, or Iran, could be an option for him. However, Machado has pledged not to seek revenge or persecute members of Maduro's administration, but rather to focus on a democratic transition.

As the situation in Venezuela continues to deteriorate, Machado recognized the role that left-wing leaders like Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico could play in convincing Maduro to engage in a serious negotiation for a democratic transition. She emphasized the urgent need to stop the repression and increase the cost to Maduro's regime, as it continues to cross red lines in its crackdown on dissenters.