2025 Nobel Peace Prize for Anti-Maduro Leader Mara Corina Machado "Opposite of Peace": Greg Grandin

[Uncle Joe]

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Context of the controversial remark

A provocative argument: Grandin was not praising authoritarianism. He was making a provocative argument that Chávez’s legacy was undercut by his failure to fully break with the existing political system. While Chávez consolidated power, Grandin argued that he also left the state bureaucracy largely intact and allowed elements of the old elite to get rich off oil revenues, leading to corruption.

Contrasting populism with authoritarianism: Grandin contrasted Chávez with traditional Latin American populists like Juan Perón, who used repression to consolidate power and appease private investors. Chávez, by contrast, had high oil prices that allowed him to satisfy many constituencies without needing to resort to widespread repression. This created a system of "deferral" rather than a true revolution.

Focus on grassroots movements: Grandin's critique was also informed by his focus on grassroots social movements. He argued that it was the work of rank-and-file social organizations, not just Chávez himself, that gave Venezuela "a venue to survive the extremes of neoliberalism". Some of these movements continued to support Chávez despite his flaws.

Erosion of democratic institutions: While Grandin pointed to the strength of these social movements, he also acknowledged Chávez's authoritarian characteristics. Other liberal and human rights critics documented Chávez's erosion of democratic institutions, including control over the media, judiciary, and electoral system.

Long-term legacy

Continuation under Maduro: Critics note that Chávez's successor, Nicolás Maduro, inherited a system riddled with corruption and dysfunction. Maduro has since gone further to consolidate authoritarian power, leading some to argue that Grandin's "wasn't authoritarian enough" prediction has been ironically fulfilled.

Continued discussion: Grandin's analysis remains a touchstone in debates over Chávez's legacy and the trajectory of Venezuela. His work highlights the complexity of the "Chavista" project, pointing to both its populist appeal and its institutional vulnerabilities.