El Chigüire Bipolar (“Bipolar Capybara”) is a popular Venezuelan satirical website first known for mocking former president Hugo Chávez. The site was created in 2008 by Elio Casale, Oswaldo Graziani, and Juan Andrés Ravell. El Chigüire Bipolar is often compared to the satirical newspaper The Onion and to John Oliver’s weekly television show “Last Week Tonight.” In 2010, Ravell and Graziani also created“Isla Presidencial,” a web series inspired by the TV show “Lost,” where Latin American leaders are shipwrecked on a deserted island and forced to fend for themselves. In three seasons, it received more than 50 million views. As the government has increased pressure on independent media, satirical outlets in Venezuela have taken on the role of independent news channels. El Chigüire Bipolar’s readership now exceeds that of many leading Venezuelan newspapers. The founders are hopeful that the site will enable more multifaceted debate in Venezuela and allow for a plethora of voices to be heard.
