María Corina Machado Calls for Negotiated Change in Venezuela

In a recent interview with EL PAÍS, María Corina Machado, a prominent Venezuelan opposition figure, emphasized the need for citizens to confront the obstacles posed by the National Electoral Council regarding electoral transparency. Machado described the current political climate as one of "brutal" repression, citing over 2,000 detentions since the presidential election on July 28, as reported by President Nicolás Maduro. She believes that the opposition has already achieved a social defeat of the regime, and now it is crucial to validate this with concrete electoral results. Machado expressed skepticism about Maduro's decision-making, suggesting that he is overly reliant on military support, which could lead to further damage. She indicated that discussions about a political transition are underway, although she refrained from detailing the negotiations. Machado stressed the importance of impartial verification of vote records, asserting that the legitimacy of elected representatives lies with the Venezuelan people, not the international community. While acknowledging the varied responses from different countries regarding the election results, Machado noted that some nations have taken a supportive stance towards the opposition. She highlighted the need for a unified international approach to pressure the Maduro regime into accepting a negotiated transition, emphasizing that the cost of continued repression will ultimately be detrimental to the regime's stability. In addressing concerns about potential arrests of herself or fellow opposition leader Edmundo González, Machado underscored the importance of understanding the high stakes involved in the current political struggle, advocating for a resolution that prioritizes the will of the Venezuelan people.