In a bid to rescue Venezuela from what she describes as Nicolás Maduro's "criminal tyranny," Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has called for a global movement similar to the international campaign against apartheid in South Africa. Machado spoke to foreign journalists amidst Maduro's intensified crackdown following the recent elections.

Machado expressed her hope that Venezuela's struggle for democracy would become a "world cause" just as the anti-apartheid movement did in South Africa during the 60s, 70s, and 80s. She emphasized the importance of engaging not only with governments but also with people from all around the world, urging democrats from Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and North America to join the cause.

Although the worldwide anti-apartheid campaign did not directly lead to South Africa's transition to democracy, it exerted significant global pressure through economic, academic, and cultural boycotts. These measures are believed to have played an important role in freeing the country from white minority rule in the early 1990s. Machado intends for a similar global movement to apply pressure on Maduro's regime.

Venezuela's opposition claims that Edmundo González, their candidate in the July presidential election, secured a landslide victory. Detailed vote breakdowns from over 25,000 out of 30,027 voting booths have been published to support this claim. However, Maduro insists on his own victory and an arrest warrant has been issued for González, who ran in Machado's place after she was banned from the election.

The left-wing governments of Brazil and Colombia, who have been promoting dialogue for a peaceful resolution, expressed "deep concern" over the arrest warrant. The UK's minister for Latin America and the Caribbean, Jenny Chapman, labelled the warrant as "unacceptable and politically motivated."

Amidst the crackdown, several prominent opposition figures have been arrested, including Perkins Rocha, a close confidant of Machado. Human Rights Watch has denounced the "shockingly brutal" oppression witnessed in Venezuela, with over 1,700 people jailed, including approximately 114 children and teens.

Machado has vowed to remain in Venezuela despite the increasing risks, stating that she believes it is her duty. Despite Maduro's determination to hold onto power with the support of the armed forces and authoritarian allies such as China and Russia, hopes for political change have not waned.

While Maduro appointing one of his most hardline allies to the interior ministry suggests a doubling down on repression, Machado believes there is still hope for a peaceful and organized transition towards a new government under González's leadership. She has received messages from figures within Maduro's political movement, who understand the current situation is unsustainable.

Machado stressed that the opposition is stronger than ever, with growing international consensus recognizing the magnitude of Maduro's electoral defeat. She highlighted how the regime suffered losses across all states, including areas previously dominated by Maduro's party. According to Machado, the country has experienced significant change over the past year, and the opposition's momentum remains strong.

As Machado continues to champion democratic principles and calls for international support, the fate of Venezuela hangs in the balance, with the world watching closely to see if the global movement she envisions will help bring an end to Maduro's rule.