If You're Listening Why Trump is blowing up boats off Venezuela
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Sep 24, 2025 The U.S. military has recently targeted boats off Venezuela, stirring questions about the administration's strategy. The historical context reveals parallels to past interventions, particularly against Noriega in Panama. Discussion includes the geographical challenges of the Dragon's Mouths strait and the implications for Nicolás Maduro's regime. With the U.S. indictment of Maduro for drug trafficking and rising military pressure, the podcast explores the potential for heightened conflict and what Venezuela's responses might entail.
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Spadafora's Murder Sparks Outrage
- Franklin Vargas found a decapitated body in a US mailbag near Costa Rica's border with Panama in 1985.
- The victim was opposition leader Dr. Hugo Spadafora, whose brutal murder sparked outrage and suspicion toward Manuel Noriega.
Noriega's Power Tied To US Presence
- Manuel Noriega rose to power by controlling the Panamanian military and aligning with US interests despite personal unpopularity.
- His relationship with the CIA and the US presence in Panama made him uniquely vulnerable to American pressure.
US Invasion Overthrew Noriega Quickly
- The US amassed troops and then launched strikes across Panama after Noriega declared war on the United States.
- US forces quickly defeated Panamanian defenses and began searching for Noriega across the country.