Carlos Lizarralde writes about the  long-term structures of Latin American history to question our conventional wisdom about the present.

He pursued a doctorate in Comparative Literature at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and studied politics and literary theory at Hampshire College. He divides his time between Mexico City and Miami Beach.

Lizarralde's book, Venezuela's Collapse: The Long Story of How Things Fell Apart, is available in a special print edition at codexnovellus.com, and as mass market and ebook editions at amazon.com and all other Amazon sites around the world.

Venezuela's Collapse by Carlos Lizarralde

Why would one in four Venezuelans flee a once-exceptional democracy? Why would Hugo Chavez lead one of the planet's wealthiest countries into a humanitarian crisis even as he remained firmly in control? Conventional wisdom and scholarly writing find explanations in the sudden end of an oil era, the madness of a populist leader, and the influence of a mafia-like cabal. Yet the destruction of the 20th-century state and its oil industry were so pervasive even the current Chavista elites, a decade after their leader's death, can only extract a fraction of the potential energy windfall sitting underground. The roots of a tragedy that today floods the streets of American cities with tens of thousands of Venezuelan refugees must be more profound than usually suspected.

In Venezuela's Collapse, Carlos Lizarralde explores centuries-old power struggles between elites and a history of ethnic and racial violence that has ebbed and flowed through hundreds of years. Starting in colonial times, Lizarralde has pieced together the economic, social, and political trends that delivered the Chavista revolution and a humanitarian crisis.

Understanding the historical context behind Chavismo's ransacking of public enterprises and the appearance of a feudal world of violence, hunger, and disease, Venezuela's Collapse offers a compelling argument about what happened in the country.

Venezuela's uncertain future will be determined, for better or for worse, by the fractured and conflicted past that fueled the Bolivarian Revolution. Carlos Lizarralde's account will become a key road map in the years ahead.

Venezuela's Collapse:

The Long Story of

How Things Fell Apart

Praise by Venezuelan Cultural Figures

"This riveting book is a thorough and serious examination of Venezuelan history, attempting to explain how one of the richest countries in the world toppled into one of the biggest political, economic, and humanitarian disasters of recent times. Lizarralde's analysis is devastating and illuminating. Venezuela's Collapse is a timely and crucial book. I couldn't put it down."

Ariana Neumann, author of the New York Times Bestseller When Time Stopped, National Jewish Book Award

"Every day, we wonder what's become of our country. Millions have left, and many more are fleeing. With abundant oil resources untapped, Venezuelans still go hungry. Everyone has theories, but Carlos Lizarralde digs into our history all the way back to the 1500s to figure it out. The result? A captivating essay full of eye-opening insights, a real page-turner."

Édgar Ramírez, César du cinéma and two nominations to the Golden Globes

“This book is the best chronicle I’ve read of the historical events that led to the Chavez presidency and the subsequent destruction of Venezuela's democracy. Lizarralde’s wealth of knowledge and erudition are truly astonishing. This is a must-read book for anyone who wants to understand how Chavez became possible” 

Moisés Kaufman, Berlin Film Festival’s Golden Bear, US National Medal of Arts, Pulitzer Prize finalist

"This essential book offers deep insights into present-day Venezuela, shedding light on the roots of its current crisis. With captivating narrative and analysis, it serves as a compass to navigate the past, helping readers comprehend the complexities that have led to the country's downfall. By illuminating the demons haunting the nation, we can begin to confront and address them, offering hope for a better future.”

Boris Muñoz, Maria Moors Cabot Award, founding editor opinion page of The New York Times en Español

“Provocative…  A fascinating thesis. Must read for anyone interested in the social dynamics of Venezuela.”

Alfredo Brillembourg, Venice Biennale of Architecture’s Golden Lion

“Carlos Lizarralde goes back to colonial times and returns to the present with shocking answers. A marvelous essay by a careful thinker, this book will become mandatory reading for those who seek to understand what happened to the country that was once the world’s first oil exporter.” 

Michelle Roche Rodríguez, finalist, Celsius Award for her novel Malasangre

"A daring and controversial thesis at the heart of a great book. Collapse must be read so we finally have a debate we've owed ourselves for a long time." 

Claudia Larraguíbel, Andersen Award, Babelia's Award for Best Youth Novel, Marta Brunet Award

“The dismantling of Venezuela's modern democracy paved the way for the authoritarian streak now evident everywhere. Lizarralde's Collapse offers a carefully documented chronicle of that process. Written in clear, readable, and entertaining language. A must read.”

Alexander Apostol, permanent collections at the Guggenheim, Reina Sofía, and Tate Modern museums

"The past has the answer. Venezuela’s Collapse: The Long Story of How Things Fell Apart is the Black Box that tells the chronicle of a disaster that happened in slow motion and yet no one saw coming. This is a brilliant recounting of a downfall, the story of a death foretold."

Keila Vall de la Ville, International Latino Book Award

"Whatever happened in our recent history is difficult to explain, and without a doubt, it involved many shades of gray. This book searches for what happened without passion or hatred. Essential reading."

Sebastián Ayala, three Latin Grammys and a nomination to a Grammy Award

Venezuela's Collapse by Carlos Lizarralde

Available in a special print edition at codexnovellus.com. Collapse’s mass market and ebook editions can be ordered from amazon.com and every other Amazon site around the world.