Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said Venezuela's economic collapse should serve as a warning to U.S. voters considering supporting Zohran Mamdani in New York's upcoming mayoral election, telling Fox News host Lara Trump that her country offers "a vivid example of the devastation that socialism and crime can bring to a society."
Mamdani identifies as a democratic socialist and has been endorsed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. He has advocated for expanded social spending and limits on policing has faced scrutiny for past statements criticizing U.S. foreign policy in Latin America and for supporting reduced funding for police, prompting Trump to label him a communist and threatening to withdraw the city's future funds.
When asked about the prospect of a Mamdani win, Machado pointed to Venezuela's history to make her point against the candidate:
"Venezuela is a vivid example of the devastation that socialism and crime can bring to a society. Less than 20 years ago, Venezuela was the richest country in Latin America. Today, it's one of the poorest. And it's because socialism talks about everyone being equal, but it's everybody being equally poor. There's no such thing as a free lunch. When the state gives you something it takes something away from you and it's your ability to make choices. And makes you dependable on the state. So this is very dangerous"
In this context, Machado urged vigilance. "What makes America great is how you have defended freedom and created strong institutions with clear rules," she said. She described Venezuelans' past belief that "we're not Cuba" as a cautionary tale: "You have to defend freedom every day of your lives and take it seriously."
🚨 | Lara Trump, nuera del presidente, le pregunta a María Corina sobre Zohran Mamdani, posible nuevo alcalde de NY:
— Orlando Avendaño (@OrlvndoA) November 2, 2025
“El socialismo dice que todos deberían ser iguales, pero significa igualmente pobres. Cuando el gobierno te da algo, también te quita”.
pic.twitter.com/oJcLaPchVN
In another passage of the interview, Machado also addressed Venezuela's current political crisis and the Trump administration's military deployment in the Caribbean:
"Tensions are against Nicolas Maduro. The Venezuelan people totally support president Trump and this strategy, because we have been fighting for 26 years to liberate our country. We have thousands of people who have disappeared, tortured, even killed for voting and defending our votes. And now we have the possibility to stop this war"
#AHORA | María Corina con Lara Trump, nuera del presidente:
— Orlando Avendaño (@OrlvndoA) November 2, 2025
“El pueblo se venezolano apoya totalmente al presidente Trump y su estrategia, porque hemos estado luchando durante 26 años y ahora tenemos la oportunidad de detener esta guerra”.
pic.twitter.com/GC15vkSNwh
Machado, who has been in hiding for more than a year, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October. She dedicated the prize to Venezuelans and to President Donald Trump, saying his administration's support had been central to opposing Maduro. She defended her decision further during an interview with journalist Bari Weiss in which she said that Trump is "the main supporter in this fight against this narcoterrorist cartel:"
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