Public Seminar Series: Contesting Autocracy - The Evolution of Opposition Strategies in Venezuela

Which strategies are (in)effective in the struggle for democratic change? In the wake of a landslide win in the recent presidential elections in July 2024, Venezuela represents an important case for discussing democratic resistance in authoritarian regimes. The country’s opposition movement, encompassing a broad coalition of political parties, civil society groups, and grassroots organisations, has employed a range of strategies to challenge chavismo since its rise to power in 1999. Some of these strategies have been more successful than others, either channeling public discontent into meaningful resistance or inadvertently demobilising society. This seminar presentation explores the dynamics of opposition politics in Venezuela, examining the obstacles these groups face under an increasingly repressive state and the diverse strategies they have employed over the past 25 years. Drawing on original data collected through fieldwork in Venezuela over the past decade, this presentation provides insights into the complex interplay of domestic and international factors influencing opposition politics, contributing to broader debates on democratic resistance.

Chaired by Francesca Lessa