In the aftermath of Nicolás Maduro’s capture, Venezuela has entered a moment of profound uncertainty. In this episode of The Stakes, Brad Rourke speaks with Gerardo Berthin, president of Freedom House, and Steven Levitsky, Kettering senior fellow and leading scholar of competitive authoritarianism. They consider why it matters that the core machinery of repression remains largely intact.

Berthin and Levitsky assess whether this moment creates real leverage for democratic change or, instead, a post-Maduro authoritarian order will solidify. They focus on releasing political prisoners, reopening civic and media spaces, and ensuring the ability for opposition forces to act openly—each one still fragile and unresolved.

Both guests also share lessons for the United States, underscoring how democracies can erode gradually and how if windows for change are missed, they can close quickly.