Rafael Uzcategui argues that citizen disengagement is not an unintended result of the “tutelage” system in Venezuela, but rather a necessary condition for it to operate. The article, originally published on *TalCual*, suggests that this system relies on a lack of active participation from the citizenry. This implies a deliberate strategy of diminishing public involvement to maintain control. The concept of “tutelage” references a state of being guided or protected, often implying a power imbalance. Uzcategui’s analysis points to a systemic relationship between political control and a passive populace within Venezuela. The piece highlights a critical dynamic in Venezuelan politics, where a disengaged citizenry effectively enables the continuation of the established power structure. This analysis challenges traditional understandings of political apathy as a negative consequence, reframing it as a functional element of the current system.