'Ready to host PM Modi in a free Venezuela'; what else did Nobel laureate Machado say?

News Topical, Digital Desk : Maria Corina Machado, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner who has been fighting for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela for the past 20 years, has heaped praise on India. In an interview with Times Now from a secret location (since she has been in hiding for the past 15 months), Machado said, " India is a great democracy and an example for the world. Democracy should never be taken for granted. "

Expressed desire to invite PM Modi

She said India could become a major ally for Venezuela once there is a peaceful transition of power in the country. Machado also said she hopes to speak with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and invite him to a " free  Venezuela " soon.

Machado expressed her deep respect for India and said, " I admire India with all my heart. My daughter visited India as a child and she loved the country. " She said that many of her Venezuelan friends live in India and she herself follows Indian politics closely.

Speaking about Mahatma Gandhi, she said, " Gandhi showed that peace is not weakness. Freedom can be achieved through non-violence. " Machado said she wants India, as a major democratic power, to raise its voice in support of the rights of the Venezuelan people.

Accusations against the Maduro government

Speaking on the 2024 presidential elections, Machado claimed that the Nicolás Maduro government stole the election. He said, " On July 28, 2024, we won with a landslide. I was chosen as the opposition candidate, but the Maduro regime prevented me from running. "

He said that after this, an honest diplomat was nominated, who won with 70 % of the vote. Machado said, " We digitized 85 % of the vote sheets and proved that we won, but Maduro refused to give up power and started repression. " He alleged that thousands of innocent people were disappeared and women and children were tortured.

Told Trump his main ally

Machado described US President Donald Trump as a key ally in the fight for democracy. He said that the international partnership formed between the Trump administration and Latin American countries has increased pressure on the Maduro government. Machado hopes that Maduro will soon agree to a " non-violent transition of power. "

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