Produced by Venevisión in association with the Venezuelan government (now under the administration of Nicolás Maduro), El Comandante tells the story of Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías, the polarizing leader who reshaped Venezuela and became an icon for the global left. But does the first episode deliver a balanced narrative, or is it pure propaganda? Let’s break down everything you need to know about the new first episode.

"El Comandante" is a term used to refer to Hugo Chávez, the former President of Venezuela, who served from 1999 until his death in 2013. Chávez was a key figure in Venezuelan politics and a prominent leader in the Latin American left.

The Venezuelan telecommunications regulator, , banned the series from the airwaves, calling it an “insult to the memory of the commander” and urging citizens to report any unauthorized broadcasts. President Maduro himself insisted on the show’s inaccuracy and ordered a Venezuelan-produced series to be made to counter what he saw as a defamatory portrayal.

Driven by a nationalist ideology inspired by Simón Bolívar, convinced that only a radical upheaval can save the country.

For those who prefer their history on paper, "El Comandante" also has a critically acclaimed companion piece. The book by acclaimed journalist Rory Carroll is a masterclass in political biography. Praised for its depth and readability by publications like The New York Times and The Washington Post , it goes beyond the drama of the TV series to provide the thorough, real-world context behind Chávez's rise and reign.