Fiasco Iran Contra: Bonus - Bombs, Drugs, and the Contra War
Apr 28, 2025
Martha Honey and Tony Avirgan, seasoned journalists who reported on the Contra war, share gripping firsthand accounts from Costa Rica. They discuss the challenges of uncovering U.S. covert operations amid editorial pushback. The chaos of a bombing at a press conference highlights the dangers they faced. The duo reveals disturbing links between the Iran-Contra affair and drug trafficking, shedding light on the shadows of political intrigue that define this tumultuous period in American history.
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Press Conference Bombing And Its Aftermath
- Tony Avirgan described a press-conference bombing that killed four people and left him severely injured with burns and a torn side wound.
- He was trapped nearly 12 hours before evacuation and later required specialized surgery to save his hand.
Official Denial Versus Visible Activity
- Martha noted U.S. and Costa Rican officials publicly denied Contra activity while it visibly operated from Costa Rica.
- Local journalists and residents nonetheless saw Contra camps and hospitals, making denial implausible.
Operational Needs Created Drug Links
- Tony and Martha explained the CIA recruited experienced drug pilots to fly short jungle airstrips, creating overlap between arms transport and drug trafficking.
- That operational necessity blurred lines, making drug-smuggling allegations plausible but hard to fully prove.