The Return of Authoritarianism: How Strong Leadership Is Strengthened in Latin America

In recent years, Latin America has experienced a worrying resurgence of authoritarianism , with presidents and leaders concentrating power and undermining democratic checks and balances. This trend, which seemed to have been left behind after the democratic transitions of the late 20th century, is now re-emerging as a response to the crisis of security, corruption, and citizen dissatisfaction with traditional parties.

Figures like Nayib Bukele in El Salvador, Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, and Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua represent different expressions of this phenomenon. While some justify concentrated power as a way to combat urgent problems, others warn of the risks it poses to human rights and institutional balance.

One of the most notable cases is El Salvador , where President Nayib Bukele has implemented a prolonged state of emergency to combat gangs. The heavy-handed approach has dramatically reduced homicides, but has also led to arbitrary arrests, reports of torture, and restrictions on the press.

Bukele dissolved the independence of the Supreme Court and the Attorney General's Office , replacing critical officials with allies, allowing him to control the branches of government. His popularity, above 80% according to recent polls, demonstrates public support for these measures, fueling the debate about whether the ends justify the means.

In Nicaragua , President Daniel Ortega has been in power for nearly two decades following successive constitutional reforms and controversial electoral processes. Since 2018, repression against protesters and opponents has left hundreds dead and thousands displaced, according to organizations such as the IACHR and Amnesty International .

In the 2021 elections, Ortega imprisoned almost all opposition candidates, eliminating any real competition. International organizations consider his regime a consolidated dictatorship, where power is completely concentrated in the presidential family.

Venezuela offers another example of prolonged authoritarianism. After more than two decades of Chavismo, Nicolás Maduro's government maintains its grip on the armed forces, the co-optation of the Supreme Court, and severe restrictions on political parties and the media.

The economic, migration, and humanitarian crises have been exploited by the regime to justify exceptional measures, while the opposition remains fragmented. Negotiations with international actors have failed to democratize the system, and centralized control remains firm.

Experts agree that the rise of authoritarianism in Latin America is a response to citizen frustration with corruption.