Heroes and Monsters of the Nation: Digital Authoritarianism and Memetic Violence on the Latin American Far Right

This presentation undertakes an in-depth examination of a series of memetic images that portray heroic figures associated with the "Latin American far-right," focusing specifically on Brazil and Argentina. The central objective is to elucidate how these memetic images construct a collective perception of national heroism, in opposition to the “Monster”. Notably, these images were curated during the electoral period of 2022 and 2023. These electoral junctures are characterised by their heightened dramatisation and performative aspects, making them ideal moments for the study of the construction of national imaginaries. The analysis unfolds in two primary stages. First, I aim to identify the connotative dimensions intricately intertwined with the promotion of violence. Second, I synthesize the prevalent themes discerned within the examined memes. Through this rigorous analysis, this study seeks to illuminate the defining characteristics of the memetic hero within the Latin American far-right. Furthermore, I explore whether these elements, in line with prior research findings (see Bayarri & Fernández-Villanueva 2023; Bayarri & Fernández-Villanueva, 2022), serve as a mechanism to conceal various forms of digital authoritarianism behind specific aesthetic elements.