Different faces of populism in Venezuela. Comparison of governing styles and media image of Hugo Chávez and Nícolas Maduro
Different faces of populism in Venezuela. Comparison of governing styles and media image of Hugo Chávez and Nícolas Maduro

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this article is to conduct a comparative analysis of the discoursesand rhetoric in the public speeches of two consecutive Venezuelan presidents– Hugo Chávez and Nícolas Maduro. Although both politicians have beenidentified in the literature as representatives of Latin American populism, theirmedia activities, campaign styles, and governing methods differ significantly,as do their perceptions by the public and the international community. This analysisalso takes into account the evolution of both presidents’ images during theirrespective terms in office, against the backdrop of the ongoing political-economiccrisis. The presence of Chávez and Maduro in the media – both traditional, suchas radio and television, and new (especially on social media platforms) – as wellas their narrative-building techniques are of particular importance in this context.The reflection also includes the manipulations used by both politicians andthe symbolic sphere to which they referred in their speeches. Such a comparisonallows us to recognize that Latin American populism, which belongs to the socalled“third wave,” is a uniquely complex and internally diverse phenomenon, evenwithin one country and successive presidential terms.

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