Luis Fleischman’s “Latin America in the Post-Chávez Era”

Since the election of Hugo Chavez to the presidency of Venezuela in 1998, the political landscape of Latin America has undergone a sea change.  In his book, Dr. Luis Fleischman, a recognized expert on Latin America, examines Chavez’s highly controversial Bolivarian Revolution and the effects it has had throughout the region.  This well researched and highly analytical book explores the extent of Chavez’s influence well beyond the borders of Venezuela.  In this context, the author systematically shows how an emerging revolutionary authoritarianism has come to define the regions’ geopolitics. Moreover, Chavez’s destabilizing activities including cooperation with regional as well as Islamist terrorist organizations, drug cartels, and rogue states, particularly Cuba and Iran—take on ominous proportions. Meanwhile, China’s influence has been increasing and may evolve beyond an economic presence into a more political role in support of the Bolivarian revolution. Fleischman warns us of growing authoritarianism, anarchy, destabilization, and escalation.  The book lays down ideas for short and long-term policies aimed at helping counter-balance these negative influences in the region.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Luis Fleischman is an adjunct professor of sociology and political science at Florida Atlantic University Honors College. He has a PhD in sociology from the New School for Social Research in New York City and has worked as senior adviser for the Menges Hemispheric Security Project at the Center for Security Policy. He is the editor of the Americas Report, where he writes about the Bolivarian revolution, its alliances with Iran and terrorist groups, and the rise of antidemocratic forces in the region. He lives in Jupiter, Florida.