# Democratic erosion in Venezuela and Costa Rica

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/democratic-erosion-in-venezuela-and-costa-rica
> Updated: 2026-09-21T01:43:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Reports indicate significant political instability and the erosion of democratic institutions across Venezuela and Costa Rica. In Venezuela, critics describe a dangerous state of instability caused by arbitrary government actions and the weakening of the constitutional framework. This includes the progressive delegation of legislative powers to the presidency, which has fueled institutional fractures and political polarization.

Specific concerns regarding Venezuela focus on the decay of the judicial system. The Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) has been criticized for appointing Nicolás Maduro as president following the 2024 elections, a move seen as a way to validate political outcomes through legal channels and normalize illegality. This lack of judicial independence reportedly affects citizens' ability to resolve labor, property, and criminal matters without political influence.

In Costa Rica, observers have raised alarms regarding potential shifts toward autocracy. Allegations suggest that the ruling political group is suppressing the press, controlling legislative and judicial powers, and undermining individual liberties through corruption and the repression of political dissent.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-21: Venezuela faces institutional decay as judiciary loses independence

The Venezuelan judicial system faces criticism for institutional decay, specifically regarding the TSJ's role in validating Nicolás Maduro's presidency and the resulting loss of legal protections for citizens.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-faces-institutional-decay-as-judiciary-loses-independence

### 2026-09-18: Political instability and democratic erosion reported in Venezuela and Costa Rica

Political crises in Venezuela and Costa Rica are marked by allegations of institutional erosion, the rise of autocratic tendencies, and the undermining of the rule of law and democratic separation of powers.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/political-instability-and-democratic-erosion-reported-in-venezuela-and-costa-rica

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Cite as: Democratic erosion in Venezuela and Costa Rica. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/democratic-erosion-in-venezuela-and-costa-rica