Why did people in some apparently democratic Latin America nations have little voice in their country's government?

In some Latin American nations, despite democratic frameworks, people often had limited voice in government due to factors like entrenched elites, political corruption, and systemic inequality. Many governments were dominated by powerful political and economic interests that marginalized the voices of ordinary citizens. Additionally, issues such as weak institutions, lack of political education, and suppression of dissent often stifled genuine democratic participation, leading to disillusionment with the electoral process. As a result, many citizens felt that their needs and opinions were overlooked in favor of maintaining the status quo.