KINSELLA: Donald Trump’s superpowers fading

In February 2025, Argentinian President Javier Milei surprised American tech entrepreneur Elon Musk at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) near Washington by presenting him with a chainsaw. Milei, known for wielding a chainsaw during his election campaign to symbolize his promise to cut spending and political privilege, incorporated the chainsaw into the visual language of Donald Trump's second administration.

The administration, which began a month earlier, focused on reducing the size of the federal government in terms of staff and programs.

Milei's use of the chainsaw and his promises of fiscal austerity and limited government exemplified a transnational conservative network that included former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and other right-wing leaders across Latin America. Bolsonaro's governance style from 2019-22 shared similarities with Trump's approach. Despite the left-leaning presidency of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the influence of the Bolsonarismo movement remains strong in Latin America.

The rise of right-wing leaders in Latin America is attributed to overlapping pressures such as rising violence, extortion, weak economic growth, and a lack of convincing remedies from traditional parties. These factors have created demand for strong leaders who promise immediate action to address public fears over crime, migration, and national identity. Politicians often intensify divisions by identifying enemies and portraying institutional restraints as obstacles to effective government.

The Latinobarómetro survey of 19,214 people in 17 countries in 2024 highlights the tension between attachment to democracy and the demand for results across Central and South America. The narrative explores the journey of right-wing leaders across Latin America, tracing the shift and its lasting implications for the region's political landscape.