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Venezuelan leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado hailed India as the world’s ideal democracy, drawing inspiration from Gandhi’s non-violence. She expressed hopes for closer India-Venezuela ties after democracy’s restoration, inviting PM Modi to a “free Venezuela.”
Maria Machado Calls India a Global Model of Democracy
New Delhi: Maria Corina Machado said in a TV interview that India is an ideal example of democracy not only for Asia but for the entire world. He praised India's democratic tradition, diversity, and peaceful political system.
Machado said she wanted to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and invite him to visit a “free Venezuela.” He also added that India plays a balanced and strong role in strengthening democracy as well as on human rights and peace issues.
Machado said that in his democratic fight he draws inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi's ideology of non-violence. She said, “Maintaining peace is not weakness—Gandhi proved this to the entire world.”
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According to her, change is also possible through non-violence and dialogue, and the restoration of democracy in Venezuela is based on this principle.
Machado revealed that the opposition had won the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election by a landslide, but incumbent President Nicolas Maduro canceled the elections.
She said She had offered Maduro to leave power peacefully, but Maduro refused and began repression and violence in the country. Even in this situation, Machado insisted on a peaceful solution and said that dialogue, not violence, is the way for democracy.
Machado said US President Donald Trump is her key international ally and has openly supported the restoration of democracy. She expressed hope that due to international pressure, Maduro will soon understand that his regime will no longer be able to survive.
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Machado also appealed to India to invest in Venezuela in the energy, infrastructure, and telecommunications sectors after the restoration of democracy.
Machado said that after democracy is restored in Venezuela, India can take the partnership between the two countries to new heights. She also said that Venezuela can learn from India's democratic experience and institutional strength in rebuilding its democracy.
According to her, India's role will not be merely as a trading partner but as a democratic guide. Maria Machado said in her message that democracy should never be taken lightly.
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The responsibility of a large and stable democracy like India is huge, because countries around the world learn from it. Her statement not only strengthens India's global image but also shows that India is today being seen as a global symbol of democracy and human rights.
