Authoritarian Regimes and Independence Narratives in Latin America
The authoritarian governments in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua have made significant efforts to diminish or completely erase the significance of their nations’ independence eras. Instead, they often create alternatives to observances tied to the unpopular Communist Party of Japan’s anniversaries.
Among these nations, Cuba’s situation seems particularly dire. The current regime, led by Raul Castro—who succeeded his brother Fidel, known for his brutality—has pressed hard against historical narratives that clash with its own.
Amid all the turmoil, Cuba did break free from Spanish colonial rule, officially gaining independence on May 20, 1902, with minimal assistance from the United States. The Castro regime, which rose to power in a 1959 coup, has maintained a tight grip on this narrative. Celebrations of national holidays have been outright banned, with the regime persecuting those who dare to commemorate them. Instead, Cubans are coerced into celebrating events like Fidel Castro’s 1953 attack on the Moncada military barracks, which was marked by various violent acts. Castro famously replaced May 20 and July 26 with forced commemorations linked to this attack.
Even though celebrating Independence Day on May 20 is forbidden in Cuba, the day still resonates among the Cuban diaspora throughout the United States and beyond.
On this Cuban Independence Day, sentiments were shared to honor the patriots who fought against Spanish colonialism to embrace freedom, sovereignty, and human dignity. President Trump expressed, “My administration offers sincere support to the Cuban people as they work to reclaim their God-given rights and pursue autonomy.”
Turning to Venezuela, the regime established by the late Hugo Chavez in 1999 has taken a different route compared to Castro’s approach. Under Nicolas Maduro, Chavez’s chosen successor, the government has co-opted the historical narrative surrounding Venezuela’s fight for independence, which began over 200 years ago, rather than sidelining important holidays like Independence Day. They’ve manipulated the legacy of historical figures, particularly Simon Bolivar, to fit their ideological agenda, dubbing Bolivar as “socialist” despite evidence that his ideology was more nuanced.
Venezuela declared its independence from Spain on July 5, 1811. While this date is still officially commemorated, the regime uses the occasion to deliver speeches targeting “enemies” of the revolution, such as the United States and local dissidents, often turning Independence Day events into showcases of militarism and propaganda, complete with bizarre spectacles.
Meanwhile, in Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo oversee a regime that observes September 15 as Independence Day, marking Central America’s release from Spanish rule in 1821. However, the observance often veers away from true historical acknowledgment. Ortega prefers to use the platform for lengthy addresses filled with disparagement of the U.S. and veiled threats against political opposition.
The Ortega government has also implemented a holiday calendar featuring several government-mandated days, ensuring that schools and public institutions participate in celebrations that blend seemingly harmless observances with ideological messages. For instance, “Grandparents’ Day” sits alongside holidays that honor the FSLN flag, aligning national identity more closely with the ruling party than with traditional concepts of independence.
In a rather ironic twist, even as Nicaragua has moved to foster relations with China, it still commemorates ties to Taiwan, despite severing official relationships. The administration is also noted for introducing holidays that counteract the wave of anti-communist protests seen in April 2018.
It seems that these regimes are less about celebrating independence in its truest sense and more focused on embedding their own narratives, often resulting in a distorted view of their histories.
