When Protests Erupt Online: How Venezuelan Regimes Navigate Twitter

Social media platforms like Twitter are increasingly central to political conflicts, especially for non-democratic regimes facing protests.

Data & Methods

This study uses a topic model analysis of tweets from Venezuelan legislators during the 2014 anti-Maduro protests. Researchers examined text and hashtag patterns across two opposing coalitions.

Key Findings

• The regime employed multiple competing narratives to distract from opposition criticism

• Each coalition demonstrated distinct rhetorical approaches online

• These findings support theories about how authoritarian governments manage political crises through communication channels

Why It Matters

This research extends existing literature by analyzing state-level social media engagement during political protests. By examining specific government tactics, it provides new insights into regime crisis management strategies in the digital age.