Centralistas

Centralistas, or centralists, are proponents of centralized political authority. In political discourse they describe factions or movements that favor a strong national government, with power concentrated in a central authority and often a uniform legal framework. The term is used across several Spanish-speaking countries and periods to distinguish those who prioritize national unity and centralized administration from federalists or regional autonomists who advocate broader regional sovereignty and decentralized power.

In Latin America, centralist positions emerged prominently in the post-independence era, as new states struggled to organize their institutions. Centralists typically argued that centralized control would improve national cohesion, defense, taxation, and uniform governance. Critics, however, contended that centralism risked the concentration of power, reduced local autonomy, and neglected regional differences and needs.

Mexico provides one of the clearest historical examples. After the 1824 federal constitution, centralist forces gained influence and, in the mid-1830s, led to a shift toward centralized rule with the Siete Leyes, which concentrated power in the national government and the presidency, diminishing state authority. This centralization contributed to ongoing regional tensions and to events such as the Texas independence movement.

In the broader region, centralism influenced the constitutional developments of several countries arising from Gran Colombia, as well as later republics in South America, where debates between centralized authority and federal or confederal arrangements shaped political stability and state-building.

Overall, centralistas are identified by their emphasis on a centralized state structure, a strong executive, and standardized national institutions, often balancing the benefits of unity against the costs to regional autonomy and local governance.