The Weakening of Democracy in Latin America: Factors of Institutional Erosion1

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Abstract
Introduction: The study analyzes the weakening of democracy in Latin America, focusing on factors such as power concentration, populism, and military autonomy. Special attention is given to how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated institutional erosion in countries like Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Brazil. Objective: The objective of the study is to identify the factors that have contributed to democratic decline in the region and evaluate their impact on the institutional framework of various countries. Materials and Methods: The PRISMA-2020 methodology was applied, and relevant scientific literature was retrieved from the academic database Scopus. Studies published between 2020 and 2025 were analyzed using bibliometric tools such as VOSviewer, allowing for the visualization of co-occurrence networks and trends on the topic. Results: The results show that the democratic crisis in the region is not solely due to the pandemic but rather to preexisting processes of power concentration and institutional weakening. Corruption, populism, and military intervention have deepened public distrust in democracy. Conclusions: The research confirms that democratic weakening in Latin America is multifactorial and requires strengthening the independence of powers, institutional transparency, and citizen oversight to counteract democratic regression and foster institutional resilience. The protection of democratic institutions and the promotion of policies that ensure the separation of powers are fundamental to addressing current challenges and ensuring democratic stability in the region.

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