Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado praised India and called Mahatma Gandhi a role model

Venezuelan pro-democracy leader Maria Corina Machado, who won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, has heaped praise on India. Machado said she was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s struggle for independence. She said that peace is not a weakness. Mahatma Gandhi taught humanity its meaning. Machado, a politician and activist, has campaigned for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela for more than two decades.

Maria Corina Machado said that, “Of course, to achieve peace, you need freedom, and to achieve freedom, you need strength.” Machado described India as a great democracy and an example for other countries. She said she sees India as a great partner with whom Venezuela can strengthen ties on many fronts after a peaceful transition to democracy.

India is an example for many countries and generations
Speaking about India’s place in the world and its democratic record, Machado said that India has been an example for many countries and generations. This is a great thing. You also have a responsibility to take care of this, because so many countries look to you. Democracy can always be strengthened and should never be taken for granted.

Nobel Laureate Machado’s Daughter Has Visited India
Machado said, “I wholeheartedly admire India. My daughter visited there a few months ago, but I’ve never been to India. She loves your country. I have many Venezuelan friends living there. Of course, I follow Indian politics, and I hope to have the opportunity to speak with Prime Minister Modi and one day host him in a free Venezuela so we can strengthen our ties for the good of both countries.”

The Venezuelan People Want to Live with Dignity
She said that Venezuela is perhaps one of the most united societies in the world. We have no religious differences, racial tensions, regional or political divisions. She further said that 90 percent of our population wants the same thing: to live with dignity, with justice, with solidarity, and, of course, with freedom.

Machado advocates for democratic reforms. For her sustained campaign against President Nicolás Maduro Moros, Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The opposition leader has long advocated for ballots over bullets and has advocated for democratic reforms despite personal risk.