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María Corina Machado, winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, said she was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s struggle for freedom as she spoke about her campaign to bring a peaceful transition to democracy in Venezuela during an exclusive interview with Times Now Group Editor-in-Chief Navika Kumar on Friday. "Peaceful is not weakness, and Mahatma Gandhi showed humanity what it meant," she told Navika from an undisclosed location. A politician and activist, Machado has waged a more-than-two-decade-long campaign for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela. “Being peaceful is not weakness, and Mahatma Gandhi showed humanity what that meant. Certainly, to have peace, you need freedom, and in order to have freedom, you need strength — moral, spiritual, and certainly physical strength in organization,” said Machado, who was honoured by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for her “tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela.” Venezuela, she said, is perhaps one of the most cohesive societies in the world. “We do not have religious differences, racial tensions, regional or political divides. Ninety percent of our population wants the same things — to live with dignity, with justice, with solidarity, and certainly with freedom,” she added. 'World Looks Up To India' Machado also hailed India as a “great democracy” and an “example” for other countries. She said she sees India as a “great ally” with whom Venezuela can strengthen ties on multiple fronts once a peaceful transition to democracy is achieved. Speaking about India’s place in the world and its democratic record, Machado said, “India has been an example for many countries and generations — being the largest democracy in the region and in the world. This is huge. You also have a responsibility to take good care of it because so many countries look up to you. Democracies can always be strengthened and should never be taken for granted.” “I admire India with all my heart,” Machado told Times Now. “My daughter was there just a couple of months ago, but I’ve never been to India. She loves your country. I have many Venezuelan friends who live there. Of course, I follow Indian politics, and I hope I have the chance to speak with Prime Minister Modi — and one day host him in a free Venezuela — so that we can strengthen ties for the well-being of both our countries.” Machado was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for her sustained campaign against President Nicolás Maduro Moros. The opposition leader has long championed “ballots over bullets,” advocating for democratic reform despite facing personal risk.
