| Luis Castro Leiva | |
| Birth Date: | 23 February 1943 |
| Birth Place: | Caracas, Venezuela |
| Death Place: | Chicago, United States |
| Other Names: | Luis Castro |
| Known For: | Criticism on Hugo Chávez |
| Alma Mater: | Central University of Venezuela |
| Employer: | Central University of Venezuela Simón Bolívar University |
| Occupation: | Professor of Politics and Philosophy, writer, columnist |
| Years Active: | 1966 - 1999 |
Luis Hernan Castro Leiva (23 February 1943 - 8 April 1999) was a Venezuelan political philosopher, historian, writer and columnist.[1] He is known for his televised speech on 23 January 1998 for the National Congress in which he warns against bolivarianism, cronyism and atavistic absolutism. He was one of the country's foremost advocates for democracy and an outspoken critic of Hugo Chávez, which he considered a populist. Castro is also credited with introducing rugby to Venezuela.[2]