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[Op-Ed] The Invisible Crown

Deep within current politics lies a threat that doesn't harm the body, but destroys the democratic

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Deep within current politics lies a threat that doesn't harm the body, but destroys the democratic spirit of nations. Hubris Syndrome is a mental disorder that grows in the heights of power, and can be clearly observed in present-day Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro's government.

 

This political illness doesn't appear overnight, but grows slowly, nourished by constant flattery and the silence of a society living in fear. Maduro's transformation from a union leader and bus driver to an authoritarian ruler clearly demonstrates how power can transform an individual.

 

Maduro's recent self-proclamation for a third term in 2025 exhibits all the signs of this political illness. His extreme measures reveal his paranoia, such as closing borders with Colombia, excessive military deployment, and threats against unauthorized aircraft. The ceremony where he took office, accompanied by other authoritarian leaders like Miguel Díaz-Canel and Daniel Ortega, became a display of the grandiose delusions typical of this condition.

 

A concerning sign of this illness is seen in how the ruler confuses himself with the State. When Maduro puts on the necklace with the keys to the national historical archive, it's not merely a ceremonial act, but demonstrates his belief that he himself represents the nation. This messiah mentality influences his way of speaking, turning everyday problems into great historical battles.

 

Researchers David Owen and Jonathan Davidson have studied how this syndrome progresses, beginning with excessive confidence and evolving into an obsession with public image. The leader develops a narcissistic vision where the world is their personal stage to display power and seek fame. In Venezuela, this is evident in the constant use of Chávez's image and Bolivar's symbols to justify authoritarianism.

 

The incapacity produced by Hubris is noticeable in government management. The leader, convinced of their infallibility, ignores warnings and advice, making decisions increasingly detached from reality. The increase in the United States' reward from 15 to 25 million dollars for information about Maduro shows the gravity of this situation, although expert Nastassja Rojas notes that these measures are unlikely to work.

 

This syndrome distorts the ruler's morality, leading them to believe they must answer only to history or God, not to society. This is evident in how the government responds to criticism, interpreting any questioning as part of international conspiracies or imaginary "economic wars." The phrase "loyal always, traitors never!", repeated during the ceremony, demonstrates this black-and-white worldview.

 

Most concerning about Hubris Syndrome is its resistance to treatment. Owen's studies show that even removing the symbols of power from the affected individual doesn't guarantee recovery. The presence of Colombian ambassador Milton Rengifo at the illegal ceremony shows how the regime manages to normalize the abnormal, turning international complicity into official policy.

 

Venezuela's experience teaches us that the only effective defense against this political illness is prevention. Democracies need to create institutional defenses with clear limits on power, mandatory changes of rulers, and effective systems of citizen control. When these fail, as in Venezuela, the result is the gradual destruction of democracy.

 

While Maduro celebrates his continuance in power, swearing loyalty to Chávez before Bolivar's tomb, millions of Venezuelans suffer the consequences of this political aberration. The situation of president-elect Edmundo González, who cannot enter his own country, shows the final irony of Hubris Syndrome, as the leader who claims to defend the homeland becomes its greatest threat.

 

Today's challenge for democracies is to identify and stop the first symptoms of this political illness before it's too late. Venezuela in 2025 should serve as a warning, because when power concentrates without controls, democracy doesn't die suddenly, but gradually fades away in a spectacle of self-deception and collective madness, leaving only the empty shell of what was once a free country.

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