Latin American and European leaders mourned this Tuesday the death of the former Chilean head of state Sebastián Piñera, whom they defined as a “great democrat» committed to his country and the region. The death this Tuesday of the former president in a helicopter accident has generated great commotion in Chile.
The Venezuelan opposition, grouped in the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD), “deeply” regretted the death of Piñera, whom this alliance remembers as a “promoter of democratic values«.
For her part, María Corina Machado expressed that Piñera’s death means a “loss immense for Chile, for Venezuela and for all the democrats in the world”.
For his part, Nicolás Maduro, stated that Venezuela unites “to the mourning that overwhelms the people of Chile in the face of the unfortunate death of the former president«.
Piñera governed Chile for two periods (2010-2014 and 2018-2022), in which he coincided with other leaders who today exercise the Presidency, such as the Brazilian Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who said he was “surprised and sad” and recalled that “they always had a good dialogue.”
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, expressed his “deep regret” over the death of the former president of Chile and sent his condolences “in these moments of sadness.”
«With all due respect, we convey to you our condolences for the tragic death of the former president of that brother country, Mr. Miguel Juan Sebastián Piñera Echenique.wrote the president of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, in a letter addressed to his Chilean counterpart, Gabriel Boric.
Former Colombian presidents Iván Duque, Juan Manuel Santos and Álvaro Uribe expressed their regret over Piñera’s death.
«I feel the greatest pain for the death of my great friend and colleague Sebastián Piñera“said Duque (2018-2022), who was a contemporary in the Presidency with Piñera, whom he described as”a unique leader, a complete human being and a friend like few others«.
Santos (2010-2018) highlighted that Piñera «He was a good personal friend and a great ally of Colombia. He supported and was a guarantor of the peace process, and together we created the Pacific Alliance«.
Uribe (2002-2010) also expressed his pain and solidarity with his family and “with the democracy of the brother countrys».
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**Interview with María Corina Machado on the Legacy of Sebastián Piñera**
**Interviewer:** Good afternoon, María Corina. Thank you for joining us. The passing of former Chilean President Sebastián Piñera has elicited strong reactions from leaders across Latin America and Europe. How do you view his legacy in the context of democratic values in the region?
**María Corina Machado:** Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. Sebastián Piñera was indeed a significant figure in Latin America. His commitment to democratic ideals and governance is something that many of us admired. He stood firm for the principles of democracy not just in Chile, but as a model for the region. His contributions to promoting democratic values are what I remember most fondly.
**Interviewer:** You called Piñera’s death an “immense loss for Chile, for Venezuela, and for all democrats in the world.” Can you elaborate on what this means for Venezuela specifically?
**María Corina Machado:** Certainly. In Venezuela, where we face a daily struggle for our democratic rights, Piñera represented hope and resilience. His leadership and unwavering stance against authoritarianism inspired many of us fighting for liberation in Venezuela. Losing such a voice is not only a personal loss; it undermines the collective effort for global democracy.
**Interviewer:** Nicolás Maduro expressed solidarity in mourning Piñera’s death, which may seem surprising given their political differences. What is your take on this?
**María Corina Machado:** It is indeed a complex situation. However, Maduro’s acknowledgment of Piñera’s passing highlights a moment of unity that transcends our political divides. It showcases that respect for democratic processes applies to us all, regardless of our political affiliations. In this moment of mourning, it’s crucial to reflect on the values that bring us together.
**Interviewer:** How do you think Piñera’s death will influence the political landscape in Chile and beyond?
**María Corina Machado:** Piñera’s death leaves a notable gap in the leadership of the region. His approach to governance, which balanced economic growth with social responsibility, was a beacon for many nations facing similar challenges. As countries in Latin America navigate their own political crises, his approach may inspire future leaders to adopt similar democratic principles. The hope is that this tragedy can galvanize a more unified, democratic movement across Latin America.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, María Corina, for sharing your insights during this difficult time.
**María Corina Machado:** Thank you for having me.
